Research Article

A model to calculate solar radiation fluxes on the Martian surface

¹ Departamento de Física de la Tierra, Astronomía y Astrofísica II, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
² Departamento de Matemática Aplicada, Facultad de Informática, Instituto de Matemática Interdisciplinar, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
³ Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

^* Corresponding author: alvarodv@ucm.es

Received: 25 March 2015
Accepted: 15 September 2015

Abstract

We present a new comprehensive radiative transfer model to study the solar irradiance that reaches the surface of Mars in the spectral range covered by MetSIS, a sensor aboard the Mars MetNet mission that will measure solar irradiance in several bands from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near infrared (NIR). The model includes up-to-date wavelength-dependent radiative properties of dust, water ice clouds, and gas molecules. It enables the characterization of the radiative environment in different spectral regions under different scenarios. Comparisons between the model results and MetSIS observations will allow for the characterization of the temporal variability of atmospheric optical depth and dust size distribution, enhancing the scientific return of the mission. The radiative environment at the Martian surface has important implications for the habitability of Mars as well as a strong impact on its atmospheric dynamics and climate.