Citizen Science for Martian Cloud Cover
The Cloudspotting on Mars project is a collaborative effort between NASA and Zooniverse that enlists the public to assist scientists in analyzing data from the Mars Climate Sounder instrument. This instrument, aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, observes the Martian atmosphere, measuring temperature, water ice, and dust content.
Goal: Unveiling Martian Clouds
Scientists are particularly interested in characterizing clouds high up in the Martian atmosphere, specifically mesospheric clouds, which form over 30 miles above the surface. These clouds are enigmatic because Mars is a dry planet with a thin atmosphere. Understanding their formation and composition can provide valuable insights into Martian atmospheric conditions.
Citizen Scientists Make a Difference
Through the project's website, volunteers can participate in a short tutorial to learn how to identify Martian clouds in the MCS data. This includes recognizing specific patterns in the radiance measurements, which indicate the presence of clouds.
The project has been a success, with citizen scientists classifying a massive amount of imagery in a short period. This data is crucial for creating maps of Martian cloud cover across different seasons.
An Ongoing Quest
The Cloudspotting on Mars project continues, with the goal of analyzing data from additional Martian years. This will allow scientists to investigate how factors like dust and seasonal variations influence cloud formation on Mars. By combining citizen science with advanced technology, researchers are steadily unraveling the mysteries of the Red Planet's atmosphere.
For more information, you can explore the following resources:
- Cloudspotting on Mars - Zooniverse: [Cloudspotting on Mars Zooniverse]
- Cloudspotting on Mars Project Extended! - NASA Science: [Cloudspotting on Mars Project Extended NASA]