Characteristics of convective vortices and dust devils at gale crater on Mars during MY33

Convective vortices that are dust laden (dust devils), believed to be an efficient mechanism for particle entrainment in the Martian atmosphere. Such can identified in-situ by landers or rovers reduced surface pressure when they pass instrument. We analyse data from Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) on-board Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity during mission sols 1019 1686 (corresponding Year (MY) 33). 611 short drops likely indicate passage of convective vicinity rover. The cumulative power-law analysis detected suggests a low abundance stronger drop events at MSL site as compared Pathfinder and Phoenix sites. reason this attributed smaller boundary layer height Gale crater. slope is MY 33 previous years, suggesting devil activity also increased inside crater with progressing year. Among all detected, 63 (∼10%) show simultaneous ultraviolet intensity, which signifies obscuration sunlight dust-laden vortices. A seasonal study devils occurrences based on UV flux shows increase their frequency local southern summer season. majority our estimated tangential wind velocities well below lifting threshold. This indicates either passed far measuring instrument threshold being used higher than actual Mars.