The Mars Express limbs observations database

Abstract

The capability to orient Mars Express makes it possible to implement a great diversity of observations modes, in particular nadir and limb (fig 1). During day and night limb’s observations, 4 out of 7 MEX instruments (the spectrometers: SPICAM[1], OMEGA [2], PFS [3] and the high-resolution camera HRSC [4]) work together to provide spectra (.12 μm to 45 μm) of the Martian atmosphere (dust and clouds detached layers, day and night emissions), at each altitude step, with the associated image. Until now, the data reduction of observations of the limb from each Mars Express instrument had been done separately. Examples of the potential of each data set are given in Figures 2,3,4,5). We present here a database which makes it possible to retrieve the limb observations from different Mars Express instruments relevant for a given location and time frame. The limb database is now accessible to the scientific community via the ESA/PSA website (www.rssd.esa.int/PSA). The cross-linking of observations of clouds and detached dust layers in the Martian atmosphere at different wavelengths as provided by the “limbs” database in the ESA Mex archive should constitute a useful reference for interpreting each data set and modeling processes in the upper atmosphere of Mars.