Modelling martian dust devils using in-situ wind, pressure, and UV radiation measurements by Mars Science Laboratory

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity (MSL) has measured simultaneous fluctuations in wind and atmospheric pressure caused by passing convective vortices, i.e. dustless dust devils. We study the dynamics of these vortices fitting a mathematical vortex model to measurements MSL. The matches data adequately well 29 out 33 studied pass events having sufficient quality. Clockwise counterclockwise rotating directions are equally common among vortices. seem prefer certain trajectories, e.g. avoiding steep slopes. However, our results show that due sensitivity constraints method, central drops Martian devils can usually not be accurately determined theoretical single station. also present methodology extension for further constraining trajectories strengths laden (i.e. devils), based on concurrent in-situ solar irradiance measurements. apply this only evidently set its lifting capacity is probably stress lifting.