火星全大气模式与沙尘活动模拟研究:回顾与展望

Martian whole atmosphere model and dust activities:Review and prospect

基于火星全大气模式的数值模拟研究有助于深入理解火星陆面-大气-空间环境多圈层相互耦合过程,是当今国际研究热点.模式对整个火星大气区域气象要素的描述亦可作为保障火星探测活动顺利开展的重要参考依据.沙尘活动显著影响着火星气候与天气变化,也对火星表面探测器可造成巨大安全威胁.对沙尘活动及其影响完善的模拟是目前全大气模式开发与研究工作中的重点之一.本文回顾了火星全大气模式的发展历程,概述了其构建方法,总结了相关科研成果,多角度论述了自主发展火星全大气模式的重要科研与工程价值,建议以火星沙尘活动为重点研究方向,牵引我国火星全大气模式的自主研发.模式的开发与应用涉及行星科学、空间科学、大气科学、计算机科学多领域协同合作.其开发过程势必带动我国行星科学全面发展,为相关研究领域积累经验、储备人才.

Developing the Martian whole atmosphere model (WAM) helps us understand the Martian land-atmosphere-spacecoupling comprehensively. In the history of Mars exploration, simulations performed by various Martian atmospheremodels played a crucial role in ensuring the success of those Mars exploration emissions. On the other hand, more accurateobservations also advance the model development. Realizing the importance of dynamics, physics, and chemistry in Marsaerospace motivated scientists to extend the upper boundary of models from the lower atmosphere to the exobase. At thebeginning of the 21st century, the prototype of WAM covering the entire atmospheric region was developed, greatlyfacilitating the relevant investigation. Mars dust is one of the most critical activities that significantly affect the climate andweather in a wide vertical range and thus pose a considerable threat to the safety of Mars surface detectors. The bettersimulation of dust activities and their impacts on the atmosphere and space should be one of the critical points in thedevelopment of the Martian WAM. This paper reviews the development history of the Mars WAM, outlines its constructionmethods, summarizes relevant scientific research achievements, and discusses the essential scientific research andengineering value of independently developing the Mars WAM from multiple perspectives. We have selected threeadvanced Martian WAMs developed by international groups to discuss the relationship between their development and theexploration mission at that time, including the MGCM-MTGCM (Mars GCM coupled with Mars Thermosphere GeneralCirculation Model), the M-GITM (Mars Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model), and the Mars PCM (Mars PlanetaryClimate Model). Then, we briefly introduce how to construct a Mars WAM and stress the key technologies in the modeldevelopment. Furthermore, a preliminary numerical experiment under standard and high-dusty conditions was displayed,simulated by a coupled model of Mars-WRF and MITM (Mars Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model). The one-way coupledmodel presents a reasonable thermal structure at 0–300 km heights and illustrates the different effects of dust at differentaltitudes. This will be an important foundation for developing fully coupled Chinese WAM in the near future. With theapproach of the next Mars exploration window in 2028–2030, returning samples will become a key task in internationaldeep space exploration planning. At present, relevant simulation research based on the Mars WAM needs to catch up;onlythen can the model work play a role in optimizing the scientific value and providing guaranteed services in the next Marsexploration plan. Considering the adverse impact of Martian dust on exploration, e.g., the Zhurong Rover hibernated afterexperiencing a dust storm, we suggest focusing on the research direction of Martian dust activities. Numerical modelingcan help to deepen the understanding of the dust cycle and its effects, such as dust initiation mechanism, dust propagationand dissipation in the atmosphere, and impacts on the Martian atmosphere and space environment. These investigationswill promote the development of Chinese Mars WAM. At the present stage, Chinese groups have achievements in modelingstudies in the Martian dust and have preliminarily established a WAM framework. There is also a group of scholars in earthsciences who are engaged in WAM’s research work. As a result, China has the initial conditions to develop a Mars WAM onits own. The following development and application need to involve the cooperation of planetary, space, atmospheric, andcomputer science. The development process is bound to drive the comprehensive development of planetary science inChina, accumulate experience, and cultivate talents for related research fields.