PATHFINDER VS. MSL & VL-1 TEMPERATURE AND HEIGHT DATA
This page under construction on 10/16/2016. NOTE: THIS PAGE WAS HACKED INTO ON11/9/2016. DATA NEEDS TO BE CHECKED.
This article, when initially complete, will compare temperatures recorded by Mars Pathfinder (MPF) with those reported by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and Viking 1. MPF sent back data over the span of 78 sols between Ls (solar longitude) 142.7 and Ls 177 (spring in the tropics of the northern hemisphere at latitude 19.3° North). Temperatures were recorded for heights of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 meters. MSL landed at 4.59° South. Because the comparisons below are based on similar Ls, the distance from the sun is not a factor. However while the data for MPF is for the spring, it's for the autumn for MSL. This affects daylight hours. For Viking 1 initial dalight was about 13.22 hours, for MPF it was about 13.09 hours, while at MSL it was about 12.186 hours. At the end of the MPF weather instrument functionality daylight was down to about 12.23 hours for Viking 1, 12.41 hours for MPF , while for MSL it was up to about 12.339 hours. What complicates the comparison is that NASA/JPL/the REMS Team has published often revised air and ground temperatures. Worse, we have no ground temperatures for Viking 1 and for MPF, we only have air temperatures 0.25 meters (9.84 inches) above the ground. None-the-less, when all tables below are complete, we will attempt to use changes in air temperature with respect to MPF temperature sensor heights to infer something about air density. MSL temperature sensors were about 1.5 meters above ground, and they will also be discussed in detail below. Viking 1 also landed in the tropics at 22.48 degrees North (Smith et al. states 22.2692 N). The Viking air temperature data source will be from Tillman et al. at http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/mars/data/vl1/part1.html. Although the Vikings did not supply ground temperatures, we may derive meaningful data by comparing air tempertures and altitudes from the four lander data sets (2 MSL years, 1 MPF plus VL1).
Mars Pathfinder Lander vs. Viking 1 Temperature Sensor Heights (source: https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/ops/asimet.html). The Mars Pathfinder Lander measures air temperature with sensors located on the Meteorological mast at 10, 20, and 40 inches, (0.25, 0.50, 1.0 meters) above the solar panel. Air temperatures measured during the first three days of the mission show an afternoon high near +14 degrees Fahrenheit (264 Kelvin). [The 270 degree Kelvin temperatures measured at noon on Sol 1 were obtained while the mast was still lying down just above a warm solar panel]. During the day, the air temperatures measured by the lowest of the 3 sensors are 9 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 6 Kelvin) warmer than those measured by the top sensor because the atmosphere is heated by the sunlit surface below it. At night, the ground cools more quickly than the atmosphere, and the warmest air temperatures are measured by the uppermost temperature sensor. These temperature differences provide information about the exchange of heat between the surface and the atmosphere. The Viking landers could not determine this quantity directly because they measured the air temperature at only one height (64 inches or 1.6 meters). The air temperatures measured by Pathfinder are slightly warmer than those seen 21 years ago at the nearby Viking Lander 1 site at the same Martian season. This may result because the somewhat darker surface at the Pathfinder landing site absorbs more sunlight than the Viking 1 Landing site.
Table 1 - Maximum and Minimum Daily Temperature Data for Mars Pathfinder (MPF) and Mars Science Laboratory (MSL).
Note: MPF daily lows were around 0500 local time, highs were around 1400 to 1500. Where these times are missing N/A is recorded.
MPF Ls is derived from the Mars Time Calculator at http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/time/martian_time.html.The Mars Time Calculator shows Ls to the nearest 10th of a degree. The REMS figures only show Ls to the nearest degree, but there is an error on one of these systems. There is a 4 to 5 degree disagreement between the Mars Time Calculator and sequential Ls reports by REMS. Corrections are mostly in place on Table 6 and will be brought up.
| Solar Longitude (Ls) | MPF Earth Date | MPF Sol | MPF Daylight Hours | MSL Sols | MSL Daylight Hours | Local MPF Time | MPF Decimal Sol | MPF Temperatures Celsius | MSL Year 1 and MSL Year 2 Temperatures Celsius | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 meters | 0.5 meters | 0.25 meters | MSL Low Air Temp | MSL Low Ground Temp | MSL Ground High Temp | MSL Air High Temp | ||||||||
| 142.7 | July 4 | 1 | 13.09 | 653, 1322 | 12.186 | 12:58:30 | 1.526162 | -0.8 | -3.9 | 0.1 | -80 -78 | -80 -75 | -4 -5 | -13 -10 |
| 143.2 | J5 | 2 | 13.08 | 654, 1323 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -79 -77 | -79 -74 | |||||
| 143.2 | J5 | 2 | 654, 1323 | 14:24:10 | 2.584058 | -15.9 | -13.0 | -9.6 | -4 -5 | -8 -11 | ||||
| 143.7 | J6 | 3 | 13.07 | 655, 1324 | 12.19 | 05:13:03 | 3.211575 | -76.0 | -76.4 | -77.8 | -77 -78 | -81 -74 | ||
| 143.7 | J6 | 3 | 655, 1324 | 14:52:59 | 3.603531 | -15.1 | -12.5 | -8.9 | 0 -7 | -14 -9 | ||||
| 144.2 | J7 | 4 | 13.07 | 656, 1325 | 12.192 | 05:41:53 | 4.231071 | -74.8 | -75.4 | -76.6 | -80 -78 | -83 -74 | ||
| 144.2 | J7 | 4 | 656, 1325 | 14:23:46 | 4.583793 | -14.6 | -11.1 | -7.8 | -3 -6 | -13 -14 | ||||
| 144.7 | J8 | 5 | 13.055 | 657, 1326 | 12.194 | 05:41:40 | 5.230922 | -74.5 | -75.0 | -76.2 | -79 -77 | -79 -74 | ||
| 144.7 | J8 | 5 | 657, 1326 | 12:27:37 | 5.505289 | -20.2 | -15.6 | -12.4 | 1 -7 | -6 -15 | ||||
| 145.2 | J9 | 6 | 13.05 | 658, 1327 | 12.195 | 04:43:32 | 6.191629 | -75.0 | -75.6 | -77.2 | -79 -76 | -87 -75 | ||
| 145.2 | J9 | 6 | 658, 1327 | 15:06:40 | 6.612782 | -13.7 | -11.6 | -8.4 | 1 -6 | -10 -11 | ||||
| 145.7 | J10 | 7 | 13.04 | 659, 1328 | 12.1954 | 04:14:23 | 7.171924 | -71.2 | -71.7 | -76.6 | -77 -77 | -83 -73 | ||
| 145.7 | J10 | 7 | 659, 1328 | N/A | N/A | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 1 -7 | -14 -12 | ||||
| 146.2 | J11 | 8 | 660, 1329 | 12.1954 | N/A | N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -78 -74 | -84 -72 | |||
| 146.2 | J11 | 8 | 13.03 | 660, 1329 | `12.1995 | 15:20:27 | 8.622103 | -14.0 | -11.9 | -8.7 | 1 -2 | -12 -15 | ||
| 146.7 | J12 | 9 | 13.01 | 661, 1330 | 12.2 | 05:11:22 | 9.210443 | -75.7 | -76.2 | -77.7 | -76 -78 | -85 -79 | ||
| 146.7 | J12 | 9 | 13.01 | 661, 1330 | 15:20:27 | 9.622100 | -14.8 | -12.5 | -9.0 | 1 -1 | -10 -14 | |||
| 147.2 | J13 | 10 | 13.01 | 662, 1331 | 12.2 | 04:42:16 | 10.190772 | -71.7 | -71.9 | -75.4 | -77 -76 | -78 -78 | ||
| 147.2 | J13 | 10 | 13.01 | 662, 1331 | High N/A | High N/A | 4 0 | -11 -19 | ||||||
| 147.7 | J14 | 11 | 13 | 663, 1332 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -78 | -83 -79 | |||||
| 147.7 | J14 | 11 | 13 | 663, 1332 | 12.204 | 15:44:12 | 11.638147 | -15.3 | -13.3 | -10.8 | 4 0 | -10 -11 | ||
| 148.2 | J15 | 12 | 12.99 | 664, 1333 | 12.208 | 05:35:04 | 12.226464 | -75.5 | -76.0 | -77.7 | -78 -76 | -81 -80 | ||
| 148.2 | J15 | 12 | 12.99 | 664, 1333 | 12.208 | 16:11:43 | 12.656753 | -16.3 | -14.9 | -12.4 | 0 0 | -8 -18 | ||
| 148.7 | J16 | 13 | 12.98 | 665, 1334 | 12.21 | 03:08:32 | 13.127424 | -71.7 | -72.1 | -76.3 | -78 -77 | -82 -78 | ||
| 148.7 | J16 | 13 | 12.98 | 665, 1334 | 12.21 | 16:11:43 | 13.656750 | -16.8 | -15.2 | -12.8 | -4 0 | -24 -12 | ||
| 149.2 | J17 | 14 | 12.97 | 666, 1335 | 12.212 | 05:33:35 | 14.225456 | -75.6 | -76.0 | -77.1 | -77 -77 | -80 -77 | ||
| 149.2 | J17 | 14 | 12.97 | 666, 1335 | 12.212 | 15:42:43 | 14.637147 | -16.3 | -14.4 | -11.4 | 7 1 | -4 -10 | ||
| 149.7 | J18 | 15 | 12.96 | 667, 1336 | 12.215 | 05:33:38 | 15.225487 | -76.0 | -76.9 | -78.2 | -76 -75 | -81 -76 | ||
| 149.7 | J18 | 15 | 12.96 | 667, 1336 | 12.215 | 15:28:05 | 15.627254 | -15.1 | -13.5 | -10.2 | 0 1 | -7 -12 | ||
| 150.2 | J19 | 16 | 12.95 | 668, 1337 | 12.217 | 05:18:58 | 16.215582 | -77.2 | -78.3 | -80.2 | -78 -76 | -75 -79 | ||
| 150.2 | J19 | 16 | 12.95 | 668, 1337 | 12.217 | 0 1 | -7 -13 | |||||||
| 150.8 | J20 | 17 | 12.94 | 669, 1338 | 12.22 | -84 -75 | -91 -78 | |||||||
| 150.8 | J20 | 17 | 12.94 | 669, 1338 | 12.22 | 6 0 | -4 -18 | |||||||
| 151.3 | J21 | 18 | 12.93 | 670, 1339 | 12.221 | -79 -77 | -85 -78 | |||||||
| 151.3 | J21 | 18 | 12.93 | 670, 1339 | 12.221 | 14:50:41 | 18.601985 | -13.0 | -10.8 | -7.5 | -8 2 | -4 -18 | ||
| 151.8 | J22 | 19
| 12.92 | 671, 1340 | 12.223 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -79 -76 | -80 -77 | ||||
| 151.8 | J22 | 19 | 12.92 | 671, 1340 | 12.223 | 14:50:55 | 19.602134 | -13.1 | -10.7 | -7.5 | 4 15 | -7 -3 | ||
| 152.3 | J23 | 20 | 12.91 | 672, 1341 | 12.225 | 03:14:48 | 20.131663 | -70.0 | -70.4 | -74.3 | -78 -76 | -83 -77 | ||
| 152.3 | J23 | 20 | 12.91 | 672, 1341 | 12.225 | 14:22:06 | 20.582667 | -16.0 | -13.2 | -10.3 | 6 1 | -15 -9 | ||
| 152.8 | J24 | 21 | 12.9 | 673, 1342 | 12.228 | 05:11:03 | 21.210229 | -76.6 | -77.1 | -78.9 | -78 -80 | -96 -77 | ||
| 152.8 | J24 | 21 | 12.9 | 673, 1342 | 12.228 | 14:51:21 | 21.602433 | -13.2 | -11.0 | -7.4 | 7 -4 | -1 -7 | ||
| 153.3 | J25 | 22 | 12.88 | 674, 1343 | 12.23 | 04:42:11 | 22.190716 | -76.9 | -77.6 | -79.6 | -80 -74 | -94 -71 | ||
| 153.3 | J25 | 22 | 12.88 | 674, 1343 | 12.23 | 15:20:16 | 22.621974 | -14.9 | -13.6 | -10.8 | 8 -6 | -16 -8 | ||
| 153.9 | J26 | 23 Missing Lo | 12.87 | 675, 1344 | 12.223 | -80 -75 | -91 -72 | |||||||
| 153.9 | J26 | 23 | 12.87 | 675, 1344 | 12.223 | 14:51:33 | 23.602562 | -13.3 | -11.2 | -7.7 | 7 -3 | -17 -14 | ||
| 154.4 | J27 | 24 | 12.86 | 676, 1345 | 12.234 | 04:42:25 | 24.190879 | -77.2 | -78.3 | -80.1 | -78 -75 | -79 -74 | ||
| 154.4 | J27 | 24 | 12.86 | 676, 1345 | 12.234 | 13:53:39 | 24.563438 | -15.2 | -12.0 | -7.8 | 10 -1 | -12 -19 | ||
| 154.9 | J28 | 25 | 12.86 | 677, 1346 | 12.238 | 05:11:38 | 25.210623 | -78.3 | -79.2 | -81.2 | -78 -75 | -79 -73 | ||
| 154.9 | J28 | 25 | 12.86 | 677, 1346 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 9 | -12 -16 | |||||
| 155.4 | J29 | 26 | 12.86 | 678, 1347 | 12.24 | 14:47:20 | 26.599715 | -13.0 | -10.9 | -7.6 | -77 -75 | -79 -85 | ||
| 155.4 | J29 | 26 | 12.86 | 678, 1347 | 0 9 | -12 -16 | ||||||||
| 155.9 | J30 | 27 | 12.83 | 679, 1348 | 12.243 | 05:07:20 | 27.207711 | -77.3 | -78.0 | -79.7 | -77 -76 | -80 -85 | ||
| 155.9 | J30 | 27 | 679, 1348 | N/A | N/A | N/A | -1 11 | -17 -15 | ||||||
| 156.5 | J31 | 28 | 680, 1349 | -76 -73 | -80 -84 | |||||||||
| 156.5 | J31 | 28 | 12.84 | 680, 1349 | 12.245 | 13:49:44 | 28.560791 | -13.4 | -9.6 | -6.1 | 1 11 | -13 -15 | ||
| 157 | A1 | 29 | 12.82 | 681, 1350 | 12.247 | 05:56:42 | 29.241082 | -74.0 | -76.0 | -77.7 | -79 -73 | -80 -79 | ||
| 157 | A1 | 29 | 12.82 | 681, 1350 | 12.2473 | 14:19:03 | 29.580602 | -13.5 | -11.6 | -7.5 | 1 10 | -15 -9 | ||
| 157.5 | A2 | 30 | 12.8 | 682, 1351 | 12.25 | 05:08:02 | 30.208187 | -75.5 | -76.1 | -77.3 | -77 -72 | -80 -79 | ||
| 157.5 | A2 | 30 | 12.8 | 682, 1351 | 12.25 | 13:21:16 | 30.541546 | -17.1 | -12.8 | -9.2 | 2 4 | -17 -9 | ||
| 158 | A3 | 31 | 12.799 | 683, 1352 | 12.252 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -79 -73 | -80 -78 | ||||
| 158 | A3 | 31 | 683, 1352 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 2 4 | -16 -12 | ||||||
| 158.6 | A4 | 32 | 12.79 | 683, 1353 | 12.254 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -76 | -82 -75 | ||||
| 158.6 | A4 | 32 | 684, 1353 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 8 4 | -7 -6 | ||||||
| 159.1 | A5 | 33 | 684, 1354 | -75 | -78 | |||||||||
| 159.1 | A5 | 33 | 12.77 | 684, 1354 | 12.256 | 14:43:20 | 33.597015 | -13.2 | -10.9 | -7.6 | 6 3
| -9 -5 | ||
| 159.6 | A6 | 34 | 12.76 | 685, 1355 | 12.258 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 N/A | -85 N/A | ||||
| 159.6 | A6 | 34 | 685, 1355 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 6 4 | -9 -11 | ||||||
| 160.1 | A7 | 34 | 686, 1356 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -78 -75 | ||||||
| 160.1 | A7 | 35 | 12.759 | 686, 1356 | 12.26 | 13:56:20 | 35.565250 | -13.1 | -10.8 | -6.9 | 8 3 | -2 -5 | ||
| 160.7 | A8 | 36 | 687, 1357 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -74 | -78 -77 | ||||||
| 160.7 | A8 | 36 | 12.74 | 687, 1357 | 12.263 | 13:55:43 | 36.564831 | -13.7 | -10.8 | -7.7 | 2 3 | -4 -5 | ||
| 161.2 | A9 | 37 | 688, 1358 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -72 | -78 -79 | ||||||
| 161.2 | A9 | 37 | 12.735 | 688, 1358 | 12.266 | 14:53:33 | 37.603917 | -10.3 | -9.8 | -6.5 | 3 3 | -2 -16 | ||
| 161.7 | A10 | 38 | 12.72 | 689, 1359 | 12.268 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -77 -78 | ||||
| 161.7 | A10 | 38 | 689, 1359 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 8 2 | -5 -16 | ||||||
| 162.3 | A11 | 39 | 690, 1360 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -76 | -77 -76 | ||||||
| 162.3 | A11 | 39 | 12.71 | 690, 1360 | 12.27 | 13:55:18 | 39.564553 | -12.5 | -9.9 | -6.7 | 6 2 | -6 -13 | ||
| 163 | A12 | 40 | 691, 1361 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -75 | -81 -77 | ||||||
| 163 | A12 | 40 | 12.7 | 691, 1361 | 12.273 | 13:57:43 | 40.566177 | -11.6 | -9.0 | -5.7 | 4 1 | -8 -16 | ||
| A13 | PROBLEM: NO MPF HIGH OR LOW UNTIL MPF SOL 50 | |||||||||||||
| 168.2 | A22 | 692, 1362 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -81 -76 | |||||||
| 168.2 | A22 | 50 | 12.69 | 692, 1362 | 12.275 | 12:55:14 | 50.523952 | -15.0 | -11.9 | -7.9 | 6 4 | -4 -1 | ||
| 168.7 | A23 | 51 | 12.68 | 693, 1363 | 12.278 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -75 | -80 -74 | ||||
| 168.7 | A23 | 693, 1363 | 4 3 | -8 --2 | ||||||||||
| 169.3 | A24 | 694, 1364 | -76 -74 | -75 -69 | ||||||||||
| 169.3 | A24 | 52 | 12.679 | 694, 1364 | 12.28 | 14:24:30 | 52.584279 | -12.5 | -11.4 | -7.8 | 6 1 | -4 -4 | ||
| 169.8 | A25 | 53 | -75 -74 | -75 -70 | ||||||||||
| 169.8 | A25 | 53 | 695, 1365 | 2 0 | -2 -3 | |||||||||
| 170.4 | A26 | 54 | 696, 1366 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -75 | -75 -74 | ||||||
| 170.4 | A26 | 54 | 12.64 | 696, 1366 | 12.285 | 13:26:17 | 54.544938 | -13.0 | -11.9 | -8.2 | 2 -5 | -1 -5 | ||
| 170.9 | A27 | 697, 1367 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -73 | -86 -75 | |||||||
| 170.9 | A27 | 55 | 12.639 | 697, 1367 | 12.288 | 14:23:44 | 55.583763 | -12.2 | -10.5 | -6.8 | 11 5 | -1 -2 | ||
| 171.5 | A28 | -74 -76 | -78 -77 | |||||||||||
| 171.5 | A28 | 56 | 12.639 | 698. 1368 | 12.288 | 14:54:20 | 55.604445 | -11.0 | -10.4 | -7.4 | 9 6 | -2 1 | ||
| 172 | A29 | 699, 1369 | -77 CHECK -76 | -83 -78 | ||||||||||
| 172 | A29 | 57 | 12.62 | 699, 1369 | 12.29 | 14:24:09 | 56.584049 | -10.7 | -10.4 | 7.3 | 8 6 | -4 1 | ||
| 172.6 | A30 | 58 | 700. 1370 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -77 | -83 -77 | ||||||
| 172.6 | A30 | 58 | 12.619 | 700, 1370 | 12.293 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 8 9 | -4 -7 | ||||
| 173.1 | A31 | 59 | 12.61 | 701, 1371 | 12.295 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -74 | -83 -76 | ||||
| 173.1 | A31 | 59 | 701, 1371 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 9 10 | -3 -7 | ||||||
| 173.7 | S1 | 60 | 702, 1372 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -81 -77 | ||||||
| 173.7 | S1 | 60 | 12.6 | 702, 1372 | 12.3 | 12:55:40 | 59.524242 | -15.1 | -12.7 | -8.8 |
| 9 10 | -2 -8 | |
| 174.2 | S2 | 61 | 703, 1373 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -78 -74 | -81 -69 | ||||||
| 174.2 | S2 | 61 | 12.6 | 703, 1373 | 12.3 | 13:26:16 | 59.544924 | -14.5 | 8 4 | -2 -11 | ||||
| 174.8 | S3 | 62 | 704, 1374 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -73 | -78 -76 | ||||||
| 174.8 | S3 | 62 | 12.58 | 704, 1374 | 12.301 | 13:26:23 | 60.545000 | -12.3 | -10.1 | -6.6 | 8 10 | -1 3 | ||
| 175.3 | S4 | 63 | 705, 1375 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -81 -74 | ||||||
| 175.3 | S4 | 63 | 12.57 | 705, 1375 | 12.303 | 13:26:31 | 61.545098 | -12.9 | -11.8 | -7.9 | 8 7 | -1 -2 | ||
| 175.9 | S5 | 64 | 706, 1376 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -75 | -78 -74 | ||||||
| 175.9 | S5 | 64 | 12.56 | 706, 1376 | 12.305 | 12:56:02 | 62.524493 | -16.7 | -13.2 | -9.6 | 8 10 | -2 -3 | ||
| 176.5 | S6 | 65 | 707, 1377 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -75 | -78 -74 | ||||||
| 176.5 | S6 | 65 | 707, 1377 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 9 10 | -6 -1 | ||||||
| 177 | S7 | 66 | 708, 1378 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -84 -77 | ||||||
| 177 | S7 | 66 | 12.54 | 708, 1378 | 12.31 | 12:56:17 | 64.524656 | -15.2 | -13.3 | -9.4 | 12 17 | 5 2 | ||
| 177.6 | S8 | 67 | 709, 1379 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -73 | -82 -81 | ||||||
| 177.6 | S8 | 67 | 709, 1379 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A |
|
14 18 |
-9 4 | |||||
| 178.1 | S9 | 68 | 710, 1380 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -77 | -77 -77 | ||||||
| 178.1 | S9 | 68 | 12.52 | 710, 1380 | 12.313 | 14:22:38 | 65.583026 | -10.3 | -9.4 | -6.0 | 8 N/A | 0 N/A | ||
| 178.7 | S10 | 69 | 711, 1381 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 N/A | -88 N/A | ||||||
| 178.7 | S10 | 69 | 12.51 | 711, 1381 | 12.315 | 12:56:50 | 66.525034 | -14.8 | -10.8 | -7.4 | 5 N/A | 1 N/A | ||
| 179.3 | S11 | 70 | 712, 1382 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 N/A | -76 N/A | ||||||
| 179.3 | S11 | 70 | 12.5 | 712, 1382 | 12.32 | 13:26:43 | 67.545228 | -15.2 | -14.0 | -10.1 | 5 N/A | 1 N/A | ||
| 179.8 | S12 | 71 | 713, 1383 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -73 N/A | -78 N/A | ||||||
| 179.8 | S12 | 71 | 12.49 | 713, 1383 | 12.321 | 14:22:20 | 68.582814 | -13.7 | -12.7 | -9.6 | 5 N/A | 1 N/A | ||
| 180.4 | S13 | 72 | 714, 1384 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 N/A | check N/A | ||||||
| 180.4 | S13 | 72 | 12.48 | 714, 1384 | 12.323 | 03:44:10 | 69.151509 | -74.6 | -77.4 | -79.7 | 16 N/A | -11 N/A | ||
| 180.9 | S14 | 73 | 715, 1385 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 N/A | -87 N/A | ||||||
| 180.9 | S14 | 73 | 12.47 | 715, 1385 | 12.326 | 14:25:25 | 70.584904 | -13.0 | -12.5 | -8.9 | 15 N/A | -12 N/A | ||
| 181.5 | S15 | 74 | 716, 1386 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 N/A | -87 N/A | ||||||
| 181.5 | S15 | 74 | 12.46 | 716, 1386 | 12.328 | 13:54:46 | 71.564186 | -20.0 | -18.5 | -15.1 | 18 N/A | -11 N/A | ||
| 182.1 | S16 | 75 | 717, 1387 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 N/A | -79 N/A | ||||||
| 182.1 | S16 | 75 | 12.44 | 717, 1387 | 12.33 | 13:26:04 | 72.544786 | -13.4 | -11.2 | -7.7 | 18 | -10 N/A | ||
| 182.6 | S17 | 76 | 718, 1388 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 N/A | -79 N/A | ||||||
| 182.6 | S17 | 76 | 12.43 | 718, 1388 | 12.333 | 19 | 12 N/A | |||||||
| 183.2 | S18 | 77 | 719, 1389 | -73 N/A | -75 N/A | |||||||||
| 183.2 | S18 | 77 | 12.42 | 719, 1389 | 12.335 | 12:55:45 | 74.524302 | -16.7 | -15.2 | -11.2 | 8 N/A | 2 N/A | ||
| 183.8 | S19 | 78 | 720, 1390 | -77 N/A | -82 N/A | |||||||||
| 183.8 | S19 | 78 | 12.41 | 720, 1390 | 12.339 | 11:59:39 | 76.486380 | -19.7 | -17.6 | -13.1 | 11 N/A | 5 N/A | ||
Table 2 below: Comparison of daylight hours for Mars Pathfinder (MPF) and MSL when it is at the same solar longitudes as MPF for the 78 sols when MPF sent back data. Full MPF temperature data is given on this site at http://davidaroffman.com/custom3_59.html. Daylight hours are based on rough interpolations of Ls to the nearest degree shown on Table 2.
| λsun | Latitude | Day Length = | MPF Daylight | λsun | Latitude | Day Length = | MSL Daylight | Differnce in | |||||
| (0 for spring | (phi) | δdegrees = | H = arccos((SIN(-.17) - SIN(lw)*SIN(δ))/(COS(lw)*COS(δ))) | 2*1.027491*H/360 | In Hours | (0 for spring | (phi) | δdegrees = | H = arccos((SIN(-.17) - SIN(lw)*SIN(δ))/(COS(lw)*COS(δ))) | 2*1.027491*H/360 | In Hours | dayight hours | |
| in northern | arcsin((sin(25.19)*sin(λsun)) | David's | in northern | arcsin((sin(25.19)*sin(λsun)) | David's | MPF-MSL | |||||||
| hemisphere) | Calculation | hemisphere) | Calculation | ||||||||||
| MPF | (=E value * 24) | MSL | (=E value * 24) | ||||||||||
| 142.7 | 19.3 | 14.94677343 | 95.55145847 | 0.545434798 | 13.09043515 | 142.7 | -4.59 | 14.94677343 | 88.94851431 | 0.507743 | 12.18583972 | 0.904595427 | |
| 143 | 19.3 | 14.84146195 | 95.51169375 | 0.54520781 | 13.08498743 | 143 | -4.59 | 14.84146195 | 88.95748228 | 0.507795 | 12.18706832 | 0.897919108 | |
| 144 | 19.3 | 14.48780649 | 95.37846185 | 0.544447284 | 13.06673482 | 144 | -4.59 | 14.48780649 | 88.98753908 | 0.507966 | 12.19118607 | 0.875548751 | |
| 145 | 19.3 | 14.13021166 | 95.244214 | 0.543680959 | 13.04834302 | 145 | -4.59 | 14.13021166 | 89.0178399 | 0.508139 | 12.19533724 | 0.853005781 | |
| 146 | 19.3 | 13.76879101 | 95.10899435 | 0.542909087 | 13.0298181 | 146 | -4.59 | 13.76879101 | 89.04837498 | 0.508313 | 12.19952051 | 0.830297582 | |
| 147 | 19.3 | 13.40365796 | 94.97284592 | 0.542131913 | 13.01116592 | 147 | -4.59 | 13.40365796 | 89.07913482 | 0.508489 | 12.20373458 | 0.807431348 | |
| 148 | 19.3 | 13.0349258 | 94.83581052 | 0.541349677 | 12.99239224 | 148 | -4.59 | 13.0349258 | 89.11011015 | 0.508666 | 12.20797816 | 0.784414081 | |
| 149 | 19.3 | 12.66270765 | 94.69792886 | 0.540562609 | 12.97350262 | 149 | -4.59 | 12.66270765 | 89.14129193 | 0.508844 | 12.21225002 | 0.761252592 | |
| 150 | 19.3 | 12.28711642 | 94.55924049 | 0.539770936 | 12.95450248 | 150 | -4.59 | 12.28711642 | 89.17267137 | 0.509023 | 12.21654897 | 0.737953506 | |
| 151 | 19.3 | 11.90826481 | 94.41978383 | 0.538974878 | 12.93539708 | 151 | -4.59 | 11.90826481 | 89.20423991 | 0.509203 | 12.22087382 | 0.714523259 | |
| 152 | 19.3 | 11.52626529 | 94.27959622 | 0.538174648 | 12.91619155 | 152 | -4.59 | 11.52626529 | 89.2359892 | 0.509384 | 12.22522344 | 0.690968109 | |
| 153 | 19.3 | 11.14123007 | 94.1387139 | 0.537370452 | 12.89689084 | 153 | -4.59 | 11.14123007 | 89.26791115 | 0.509567 | 12.22959671 | 0.667294132 | |
| 154 | 19.3 | 10.75327109 | 93.99717207 | 0.536562491 | 12.87749978 | 154 | -4.59 | 10.75327109 | 89.29999786 | 0.50975 | 12.23399255 | 0.643507231 | |
| 155 | 19.3 | 10.3625 | 93.85500488 | 0.53575096 | 12.85802304 | 155 | -4.59 | 10.3625 | 89.33224165 | 0.509934 | 12.23840991 | 0.619613135 | |
| 156 | 19.3 | 9.969028179 | 93.71224548 | 0.534936049 | 12.83846518 | 156 | -4.59 | 9.969028179 | 89.36463506 | 0.510119 | 12.24284777 | 0.59561741 | |
| 157 | 19.3 | 9.572966702 | 93.56892604 | 0.534117941 | 12.81883059 | 157 | -4.59 | 9.572966702 | 89.39717083 | 0.510304 | 12.24730513 | 0.571525458 | |
| 158 | 19.3 | 9.17442634 | 93.42507779 | 0.533296814 | 12.79912355 | 158 | -4.59 | 9.17442634 | 89.42984189 | 0.510491 | 12.25178102 | 0.547342523 | |
| 159 | 19.3 | 8.773517562 | 93.28073102 | 0.532472842 | 12.77934821 | 159 | -4.59 | 8.773517562 | 89.46264138 | 0.510678 | 12.25627451 | 0.5230737 | |
| 160 | 19.3 | 8.370350533 | 93.13591517 | 0.531646192 | 12.75950861 | 160 | -4.59 | 8.370350533 | 89.49556259 | 0.510866 | 12.26078468 | 0.498723935 | |
| 161 | 19.3 | 7.965035114 | 92.99065879 | 0.530817028 | 12.73960867 | 161 | -4.59 | 7.965035114 | 89.52859902 | 0.511055 | 12.26531063 | 0.474298034 | |
| 162 | 19.3 | 7.557680868 | 92.84498966 | 0.529985507 | 12.71965217 | 162 | -4.59 | 7.557680868 | 89.56174433 | 0.511244 | 12.2698515 | 0.449800671 | |
| 163 | 19.3 | 7.148397059 | 92.69893474 | 0.529151784 | 12.69964282 | 163 | -4.59 | 7.148397059 | 89.59499233 | 0.511434 | 12.27440643 | 0.425236386 | |
| 164 | 19.3 | 6.737292666 | 92.55252027 | 0.528316009 | 12.67958421 | 164 | -4.59 | 6.737292666 | 89.62833699 | 0.511624 | 12.27897461 | 0.4006096 | |
| 165 | 19.3 | 6.324476385 | 92.40577178 | 0.527478327 | 12.65947985 | 165 | -4.59 | 6.324476385 | 89.66177244 | 0.511815 | 12.28355523 | 0.375924616 | |
| 166 | 19.3 | 5.910056641 | 92.25871412 | 0.52663888 | 12.63933312 | 166 | -4.59 | 5.910056641 | 89.69529294 | 0.512006 | 12.2881475 | 0.351185626 | |
| 167 | 19.3 | 5.494141598 | 92.11137154 | 0.525797807 | 12.61914737 | 167 | -4.59 | 5.494141598 | 89.72889286 | 0.512198 | 12.29275065 | 0.326396721 | |
| 168 | 19.3 | 5.076839171 | 91.96376769 | 0.524955242 | 12.59892582 | 168 | -4.59 | 5.076839171 | 89.76256672 | 0.51239 | 12.29736393 | 0.301561891 | |
| 169 | 19.3 | 4.658257039 | 91.81592565 | 0.524111318 | 12.57867164 | 169 | -4.59 | 4.658257039 | 89.79630913 | 0.512583 | 12.3019866 | 0.27668504 | |
| 170 | 19.3 | 4.23850266 | 91.66786802 | 0.523266163 | 12.55838792 | 170 | -4.59 | 4.23850266 | 89.83011482 | 0.512776 | 12.30661793 | 0.251769983 | |
| 171 | 19.3 | 3.817683284 | 91.51961692 | 0.522419904 | 12.5380777 | 171 | -4.59 | 3.817683284 | 89.86397861 | 0.512969 | 12.31125723 | 0.226820463 | |
| 172 | 19.3 | 3.395905971 | 91.37119405 | 0.521572664 | 12.51774394 | 172 | -4.59 | 3.395905971 | 89.89789539 | 0.513163 | 12.31590379 | 0.201840149 | |
| 173 | 19.3 | 2.973277609 | 91.22262072 | 0.520724565 | 12.49738957 | 173 | -4.59 | 2.973277609 | 89.93186014 | 0.513357 | 12.32055692 | 0.176832649 | |
| 174 | 19.3 | 2.549904928 | 91.07391788 | 0.519875728 | 12.47701746 | 174 | -4.59 | 2.549904928 | 89.96586793 | 0.513551 | 12.32521595 | 0.151801514 | |
| 175 | 19.3 | 2.125894518 | 90.92510622 | 0.519026268 | 12.45663044 | 175 | -4.59 | 2.125894518 | 89.99991384 | 0.513745 | 12.3298802 | 0.126750245 | |
| 176 | 19.3 | 1.701352853 | 90.77620612 | 0.518176304 | 12.43623131 | 176 | -4.59 | 1.701352853 | 90.03399304 | 0.51394 | 12.33454901 | 0.101682302 | |
| 177 | 19.3 | 1.276386306 | 90.62723778 | 0.517325951 | 12.41582282 | 177 | -4.59 | 1.276386306 | 90.06810071 | 0.514134 | 12.33922172 | 0.076601107 | |
| 178 | 19.3 | 0.851101167 | 90.4782212 | 0.516475322 | 12.39540773 | 178 | -4.59 | 0.851101167 | 90.10223209 | 0.514329 | 12.34389767 | 0.051510057 | |
| 179 | 19.3 | 0.425603669 | 90.32917627 | 0.515624531 | 12.37498875 | 179 | -4.59 | 0.425603669 | 90.13638243 | 0.514524 | 12.34857623 | 0.026412525 | |
| 180 | 19.3 | 2.98768E-15 | 90.18012276 | 0.514773692 | 12.3545686 | 180 | -4.59 | 2.98768E-15 | 90.17054697 | 0.514719 | 12.35325673 | 0.001311872 | |
| 181 | 19.3 | -0.425603669 | 90.03108041 | 0.513922916 | 12.33414998 | 181 | -4.59 | -0.42560367 | 90.20472098 | 0.514914 | 12.35793853 | -0.023788551 | |
| 182 | 19.3 | -0.851101167 | 89.88206894 | 0.513072316 | 12.31373559 | 182 | -4.59 | -0.85110117 | 90.23889972 | 0.515109 | 12.36262098 | -0.048885389 | |
| 183 | 19.3 | -1.276386306 | 89.73310812 | 0.512222006 | 12.29332813 | 183 | -4.59 | -1.27638631 | 90.27307843 | 0.515304 | 12.36730342 | -0.073975285 | |
| 184 | 19.3 | -1.701352853 | 89.58421778 | 0.511372097 | 12.27293033 | 184 | -4.59 | -1.70135285 | 90.30725231 | 0.515499 | 12.3719852 | -0.099054863 | |
| 185 | 19.3 | -2.125894518 | 89.43541788 | 0.510522705 | 12.25254493 | 185 | -4.59 | -2.12589452 | 90.34141654 | 0.515694 | 12.37666566 | -0.124120729 |
Figure 1: Adapted from http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/mars/LOPS_Pathfinder_temperatures.cgi#plot3. Unaveraged periodic temperature data from Mars Pathfinder. The data from all 3 sensors on Pathfinder’s 1 meter mast are shown.
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For most of the first year the MSL REMS Team reports did not include ground temperatures. Then they began to include them – right back to MSL Sol 10 at http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/instruments/environsensors/rems/. However when I tried to make some sense out of the relationship between air and ground temperatures, I found the caveat that,
“Ground temperature will be recorded with a thermopile on Boom 1 that views the Martian surface to the side of the rover through a filter with a passband of 8 to 14 microns. The requirement is to measure ground brightness temperature over the range from 150 to 300 K with a resolution of 2 K and an accuracy of 10 K.28
An accuracy of 10K is almost worthless when looking at so many temperatures hovering around 273K (0° C). In fact, looking at the data from MSL Sols 10 through 652, the REMS Team offered maximum and minimum ground temperature for 584 sols. Fully 413 of the highs (over 70%) were between 283K (10° C) and 263 K (-10° C). See Figure 49. In spring of MSL Year 3 a maximum ground temperature of +24° C was recorded on Sol 1428 at Ls 202.
If there was an accuracy in the range 1 K or better we could probably deduce something intelligent about air density by looking at the rate of heat loss from the surface up to the boom, but with an accuracy of only 10K on the ground and 5 K in the air, tit almos isn’t worth the effort to do the math. The decision to go with such inaccurate sensors is problematic. All that can be said is that for $2.5 billion, we got inaccurate temperature sensors, nonfunctioning wind sensors, a relative humidity sensor that did not merit inclusion of its data on any daily weather reports, and, of course, the same pressure sensor as that on Phoenix that caused its designer so much distress. We also got data that was often suspiciously revised or deleted by JPL after I criticized it to JPL public relations man Guy Webster.
Because JPL often changed published data, all too often after I have published criticism of that data, I often captured what they are saying via print-screen images. This is necessary here too. The 10K accuracy above is captured on Figures 50A and 50B in our Basic Report. See Figure 50B there which is also shown as Figure 3 below.
MARTIAN ADIABATIC LAPSE RATE. In the University of Arizona textbook entitled MARS (1992), it states on page 31 that the dry adiabatic lapse rate on Mars is 4.5K per kilometer. We will later compare that value with average high and low temperatures at Viking 1 (3,627 m below areoid) and MSL (4,400 m below areoid). If the published value is correct then we should see an average difference of (3,627/4,400* 4.5 m) = ~3.6K between the two landers. The colder temperatures should be at Viking 1 which is 773 meters higher. Table 7 is being built to display the relevant data for all. Right now it only offers data for MPF and MSL. MPF is 718 meters higher than MSL. However we should consider latitude, distance from the sun, and surface composition. Albedo will be added to the discussion if that data can be located.
| TROPICAL MARS LANDERS THAT HAD WEATHER INSTRUMENTATION AND THEIR ELEVATIONS ON LANDING | |||||
| LANDER | DATE LANDED | LATITUDE | LONGITUDE | HEIGHT OF AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR ABOVE GROUND FOR PURPOSES OF COMPARISON BETWEEN LANDERS | METERS BELOW MARS AREIOD |
| VIKING 1 | JULY 20, 1976 | 22.48 N (Smith et al. states 22.2692 N) | 49.97 W (Smith et al. states 311.8113 E) | 1.6 m | -3,627 m |
| PATHFINDER | JULY 4, 1997 | 19.13 N (Smith et al. states 19.0949 N) | 33.22 W (Smith et al. states 326.5092 E) | 1.0 m | -3682 m |
| MARS SCIENCE LAB | AUG 6, 2012 | 4.59 S | 137.44 E (222.56W) | 1.5 m | -4,400 m |
TABLE 4 - Pressure at landing elevations for Viking 1, Mars Pathfinder and Mars Science Laboratory based on a scale height of 10.8 and a pressure at Mars Areoid of 6.1 mbar. Atmospheric pressure decreases exponentially with altitude. In determining pressure for Earth, the formula for scale height is p = p0e-(h/h0) where p = atmospheric pressure (measured in bars on Earth), h = height (altitude), P0 = pressure at height h = 0 (surface pressure), and H0 = scale height.
Table 5: Viking 1 daylight calculations matched with observed high and low temperatures. There are generally two temperatures in column G cells (highs) because there are about 2 sols per Ls degree. For the same reason there are generally two temperatures in column H cells (lows). The Viking air temperature data source is from Tillman et al. at http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/mars/data/vl1/part1.html.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
| VL1 λsun (90 for summer in northern hemisphere, 180for autumn | Latitude (phi) | δdegrees = arcsin((sin(25.19)*sin(λsun)) | H = arccos((SIN(-.17) - SIN(lw)*SIN(δ))/(COS(lw)*COS(δ))) | Day Length = | Daylight In Hours =E value * 24 | High Temp C This Ls | Low Temp C This Ls |
| 2*1.027491*H/360 | |||||||
| 142.7 | 22.48 | 14.94677343 | 96.53385138 | 0.551042575 | 13.2250218 | -25.08 | -87.14 |
| 143 | 22.48 | 14.84146195 | 96.48679373 | 0.550773957 | 13.21857496 | -25.68 -25.63 | -87.09 -88.88 |
| 144 | 22.48 | 14.48780649 | 96.32913509 | 0.549873996 | 13.19697591 | -25.11 -25.80 | -87.39 -87.13 |
| 145 | 22.48 | 14.13021166 | 96.17028682 | 0.548967245 | 13.17521389 | -24.64 -26.43 | -86.63 -86.83 |
| 146 | 22.48 | 13.76879101 | 96.0103011 | 0.548054002 | 13.15329604 | -17.38 -21.75 | -86.98 -88.82 |
| 147 | 22.48 | 13.40365796 | 95.84922867 | 0.547134555 | 13.13122931 | -22.74 -23.39 | -89.98 -91.38 |
| 148 | 22.48 | 13.0349258 | 95.68711891 | 0.546209186 | 13.10902047 | -24.73 -24.94 | -85.84 -85.07 |
| 149 | 22.48 | 12.66270765 | 95.52401978 | 0.54527817 | 13.08667608 | -24.62 -25.13 | -84.81 --84.54 |
| 150 | 22.48 | 12.28711642 | 95.35997789 | 0.544341772 | 13.06420254 | -24.40 -24.79 | -84.47 -85.10 |
| 151 | 22.48 | 11.90826481 | 95.19503847 | 0.543400252 | 13.04160604 | -25.95 -24.46 | -84.72 -85.-07 |
| 152 | 22.48 | 11.52626529 | 95.02924547 | 0.542453858 | 13.01889259 | -25.83 -24.63 | -84.63 -84.79 |
| 153 | 22.48 | 11.14123007 | 94.86264149 | 0.541502835 | 12.99606805 | -25.33 -17.53 | -84.48 -84.94 |
| 154 | 22.48 | 10.75327109 | 94.69526789 | 0.540547419 | 12.97313807 | N/A | N/A |
| 155 | 22.48 | 10.3625 | 94.52716478 | 0.539587839 | 12.95010814 | N/A | N/A |
| 156 | 22.48 | 9.969028179 | 94.35837105 | 0.538624317 | 12.9269836 | N/A | N/A |
| 157 | 22.48 | 9.572966702 | 94.18892443 | 0.537657068 | 12.90376962 | N/A | N/A |
| 158 | 22.48 | 9.17442634 | 94.0188615 | 0.5366863 | 12.8804712 | N/A | N/A |
| 159 | 22.48 | 8.773517562 | 93.84821775 | 0.535712217 | 12.85709321 | N/A | N/A |
| 160 | 22.48 | 8.370350533 | 93.67702759 | 0.534735015 | 12.83364037 | N/A | N/A |
| 161 | 22.48 | 7.965035114 | 93.50532444 | 0.533754885 | 12.81011724 | N/A | N/A |
| 162 | 22.48 | 7.557680868 | 93.33314072 | 0.532772012 | 12.78652828 | N/A | N/A |
| 163 | 22.48 | 7.148397059 | 93.16050793 | 0.531786575 | 12.76287779 | -23.79
| -85.07 -85.82 |
| 164 | 22.48 | 6.737292666 | 92.98745666 | 0.530798749 | 12.73916998 | -25.25 -20.74 | -85.25 -85.07 |
| 165 | 22.48 | 6.324476385 | 92.8140167 | 0.529808705 | 12.71540891 | -25.74 -23.09 | -84.94 -84.75 |
| 166 | 22.48 | 5.910056641 | 92.64021699 | 0.528816607 | 12.69159856 | -23.54 -21.59
| -85.16 -85.02
|
| 167 | 22.48 | 5.494141598 | 92.46608575 | 0.527822616 | 12.66774279 | -24.46 -25.30 | -85.53 -85.38 |
| 168 | 22.48 | 5.076839171 | 92.2916505 | 0.52682689 | 12.64384537 | -25.33 -23.58 | -85.46 -85.82 |
| 169 | 22.48 | 4.658257039 | 92.11693808 | 0.525829582 | 12.61990998 | -25.09 | -85.77 -84.89 |
| 170 | 22.48 | 4.23850266 | 91.94197475 | 0.524830842 | 12.59594021 | -24.70 -24.32 | -84.31 -84.78 |
| 171 | 22.48 | 3.817683284 | 91.76678619 | 0.523830816 | 12.57193959 | -26.38 -24.14 | -86.02 -85.85 |
| 172 | 22.48 | 3.395905971 | 91.59139759 | 0.522829648 | 12.54791156 | -25.0
| -85.81 -85.72 |
| 173 | 22.48 | 2.973277609 | 91.41583366 | 0.52182748 | 12.52385951 | -26.28 -26.28 | -85.67 -85.99 |
| 174 | 22.48 | 2.549904928 | 91.24011872 | 0.520824449 | 12.49978678 | -25.15 -25.24 | -82.14 -85.86 |
| 175 | 22.48 | 2.125894518 | 91.06427672 | 0.519820693 | 12.47569663 | -25.22 -25.31 | -86.37 -85.98 |
| 176 | 22.48 | 1.701352853 | 90.88833129 | 0.518816347 | 12.45159232 | -25.47
| -85.32 -85.47 |
| 177 | 22.48 | 1.276386306 | 90.71230582 | 0.517811543 | 12.42747704 | -25.55 | -87.49 |
| 178 | 22.48 | 0.851101167 | 90.53622348 | 0.516806416 | 12.40335397 | -24.38 -23.40 | -88.15 -89.57 |
| 179 | 22.48 | 0.425603669 | 90.36010728 | 0.515801094 | 12.37922627 | -25.40 -24.38 | -86.44 -82.30 |
| 180 | 22.48 | 2.98768E-15 | 90.18398013 | 0.514795711 | 12.35509706 | -23.01
| -85.77 -82.30 |
| 181 | 22.48 | -0.425603669 | 90.00786487 | 0.513790395 | 12.33096948 | -25.90 -25.30 | -86.17
|
| 182 | 22.48 | -0.851101167 | 89.83178433 | 0.512785277 | 12.30684666 | -20.58 -26.13 | -84.92 -85.29 |
| 183 | 22.48 | -1.276386306 | 89.65576141 | 0.511780489 | 12.28273173 | -24.77 | -88.03 -85.18 |
| 184 | 22.48 | -1.701352853 | 89.47981906 | 0.51077616 | 12.25862784 | -23.68 -26.43 | -81.92 -86.98 |
| 185 | 22.48 | -2.125894518 | 89.30398042 | 0.509772423 | 12.23453815 | -25.20 -26.00 | -83.69 -84.52 |
Figure 2 below: If the accuracy of MSL ground temperatures is only 10K, this creates a huge problem when it comes to understanding heat loss and air density.
Table 6.
| MPF Solar Longitude (Ls) |
1997 EARTH
| MPF Temperatures Celsius (altitude = -3.682 km)
| MSL Year 1 and MSL Year 2 Temperatures Celsius (altitude = -4.4 km) | Viking 1 Temperatures Celsius (altitude = -3.627 km) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 meters | 0.5 meters | 0.25 meters | MSL Low Air Temp | MSL Low Ground Temp | MSL Ground High Temp | MSL Air High Temp | VL-1 Air Temp High | VL-1 Air Temp Low | ||
| 142.7 | July 4 | -0.8 | -3.9 | 0.1 | -80 -75 | -80 -78 | -4 -5 | -13 -10 | -25.08 | -87.14 |
| 143.2 | July 5 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -79 | -79 | -87.09
| |||
| 143.2 | July 5 | -15.9 | -13.0 | -9.6 | -4 -5 | -8 -11 | -25.68
| |||
| 143.7 | July 6 | -76.0 | -76.4 | -77.8 | -77 -78 | -81 -74 | -88.88 | |||
| 143.7 | July 6 | -15.1 | -12.5 | -8.9 | 0 -7 | -14 -9 |
-25.63
| |||
| 144.2 | July 7 | -74.8 | -75.4 | -76.6 | -80 -78 | -83 -74 | -87.39
| |||
| 144.2 | July 7 | -14.6 | -11.1 | -7.8 | -3 -6 | -13 -14 | -25.11
| |||
| 144.7 | July 8 | -74.5 | -75.0 | -76.2 | -79 -77 | -79 -74 | -87.13 | |||
| 144.7 | July 8 | -20.2 | -15.6 | -12.4 | 1 -7
| -6 -15 | -25.80 | |||
| 145.2 | July 9 | -75.0 | -75.6 | -77.2 | -79 -76
| -87 -75 | -86.63 | |||
| 145.2 | July 9 | -13.7 | -11.6 | -8.4 | 1 -6 | -10 -11 | -24.64 | |||
| 145.7 | July 10 | -71.2 | -71.7 | -76.6 | -77 -77 | -83 -73 | -86.83 | |||
| 145.7 | July 10 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 1 -7 | -14 -12 | -26.43 | |||
| 146.2 | July 11 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -78 -74 | -84 -72 | -86.98 | |||
| 146.2 | July 11 | -14.0 | -11.9 | -8.7 | 1 -2 | -12 -15 | -17.38 | |||
| 146.7 | July 12 | -75.7 | -76.2 | -77.7 | -76 -78 | -85 -79 | -88.82 | |||
| 146.7 | July 12 | -14.8 | -12.5 | -9.0 | 1 -1 | -10 -14 | -21.75 | |||
| 147.2 | July 13 | -71.7 | -71.9 | -75.4 | -77 -76 | -78 -78 | -89.98 | |||
| 147.2 | July 13 | High N/A | High N/A | 4 0 | -11 -19 | -22.74 | ||||
| 147.7 | July 14 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -78 | -83 -79 | -91.38 | |||
| 147.7 | July 14 | -15.3 | -13.3 | -10.8 | 4 0 | -10 -11 | -23.39 | |||
| 148.2 | July 15 | -75.5 | -76.0 | -77.7 | -78 -76 | -81 -80 | -85.84 | |||
| 148.2 | July 15 | -16.3 | -14.9 | -12.4 | 0 0 | -8 -18 | -24.94 | |||
| 148.7 | July 16 | -71.7 | -72.1 | -76.3 | -78 -77 | -82 -78 | -85.07 | |||
| 149.2 | July 17 | -16.8 | -15.2 | -12.8 | 7 0 | -4 -12 | -23.94 | |||
| 149.2 | July 17 | -75.6 | -76.0 | -77.1 | -77 -77 | -80 -77 | -84.81 | |||
| 149.7 | July 18 | -16.3 | -14.4 | -11.4 | 0 1
| -7 -10 | -25.13 | |||
| 149.7 | July 18 | -76.0 | -76.9 | -78.2 | -76 -75 | -81 -76 | -85.54 | |||
| 150.2 | July 19 | -15.1 | -13.5 | -10.2 | 0 1 | -7 -12 | -24.40 | |||
| 150.2 | July 19 | -77.2 | -78.3 | -80.2 | -78 -76 | -75 -79 | -84.47 | |||
| 150.8 | July 20 | 6 1 | -4 -13 | -24.79 | ||||||
| 150.8 | July 20 | -84 -75 | -91 -78 | -85.10 | ||||||
| 151.3 | July 21 | -8 0 | -4 -18 | -25.95 | ||||||
| 151.3 | July 21 | -79 -77 | -85 -78 | -84.72 | ||||||
| 151.8 | July 22 | -13.0 | -10.8 | -7.5 | 4 2 | -7 -18 | -24.46 | |||
| 151.8 | July 22 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -79 -76 | -80 -77 | | -85.07 | ||
| 152.3 | July 23 | -13.1 | -10.7 | -7.5 | 6 3 | -15 -15 | -25.33 | |||
| 152.3 | July 23 | -70.0 | -70.4 | -74.3 | -78 -76 | -83 -77 | -84.79 | |||
| 152.8 | July 24 | -16.0 | -13.2 | -10.3 | 7 1 | -1 -9 | -24.63 | |||
| 152.8 | July 24 | -76.6 | -77.1 | -78.9 | -78 -80 | -96 -77 | -84.48 | |||
| 153.3 | July 25 | -13.2 | -11.0 | -7.4 | 8 -4 | -16 -7 | -25.33 | |||
| 153.3 | July 25 | -76.9 | -77.6 | -79.6 | -80 -74 | -94 -71 | -84.95 | |||
| 153.9 | July 26 | -14.9 | -13.6 | -10.8 | 7 -6 | -17 -8 | -17.53 | |||
| 153.9 | July 26 | -80 -75 | -91 -72 | N/A | ||||||
| 154.4 | July 27 | -13.3 | -11.2 | -7.7 | 10 -3 | -12 -14 | N/A | |||
| 154.4 | July 27 | -77.2 | -78.3 | -80.1 | -78 -75 | -79 -74 | N/A | |||
| 154.9 | July 28 | -15.2 | -12.0 | -7.8 | 0 9 | -12 -16 | N/A | |||
| 154.9 | July 28 | -78.3 | -79.2 | -81.2 | -78 -75 | -79 -73 | N/A | |||
| 155.4 | July 29 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0
| -12 | N/A | |||
| 155.4 | July 29 | -13.0 | -10.9 | -7.6 | -77 -75 | -79 -77 | N/A | |||
| 155.9 | July 30 | -1 9 | -17 -16 | N/A | ||||||
| 155.9 | July 30 | -77.3 | -78.0 | -79.7 | -77 -76 | -80 -85 | N/A | |||
| 156.5 | July 31 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 11 | -13 -15 | N/A | |||
| 156.5 | July 31 | -76 -73 | -80 -84 | N/A | ||||||
| 157 | Aug 1 | -13.4 | -9.6 | -6.1 | 1 10 | -15 -9 | N/A | |||
| 157 | Aug 1 | -74.0 | -76.0 | -77.7 | -79 -73 | -80 -79 | N/A | |||
| 157.5 | Aug 2 | -13.5 | -11.6 | -7.5 | 2 4 | -17 -9 | N/A | |||
| 157.5 | Aug 2 | -75.5 | -76.1 | -77.3 | -77 -72 | -80 -79 | N/A | |||
| 158 | Aug 3 | -17.1 | -12.8 | -9.2 | 2 4 | -16 -12 | N/A | |||
| 158 | Aug 3 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -79 -73 | -80 -78 | N/A | |||
| 158.6 | Aug 4 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 8 4 | -7 -6 | N/A | |||
| 158.6 | Aug 4 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -76 | -82 -75 | | N/A | ||
| 159.1 | Aug 5 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 3 | -5 | N/A | |||
| 159.1 | Aug 5 | -75 | -78 | N/A | ||||||
| 159.6 | Aug 6 | -13.2 | -10.9 | -7.6 | 6 4
| -9 -11 | N/A | |||
| 159.6 | Aug 6 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 | -85 | N/A | |||
| 160.1 | Aug 7 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 8 3 | -2 -5 | N/A | |||
| 160.1 | Aug 7 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -78 -75 | N/A | |||
| 160.7 | Aug 8 | -13.1 | -10.8 | -6.9 | 2 3 | -4 -5 | N/A | |||
| 160.7 | Aug 8 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -74 | -78 -77 | N/A | |||
| 161.2 | Aug 9 | -13.7 | -10.8 | -7.7 | 3 3 | -2 -16 | N/A | |||
| 161.2 | Aug 9 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -72 | -78 -79 | N/A | |||
| 161.7 | Aug 10 | -10.3 | -9.8 | -6.5 | 8 2 | -5 -16 | N/A | |||
| 161.7 | Aug 10 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -77 -78 | N/A | |||
| 162.3 | Aug 11 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 6 2 | -6 -13 | N/A | |||
| 162.3 | Aug 11 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 -76 | -77 -76 | -85.82 (Ls 163.36) | |||
| 163 No MPF Weather Data Intil Ls 162.8 @ MPF Sol 50. | -75 | -77 | 1 | -16 | ||||||
| 168.2 | Aug 22 | -12.5 | -9.9 | -6.7 |
4 |
-1 | -25.3 | |||
| 168.2 | Aug 22 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -81 -76 | -85.46 | |||
| 168.7 | Aug 23 | -11.6 | -9.0 | -5.7 | 4 3 | -8 -2 | -25.33 | |||
| 168.7 | Aug 23 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -75 | -80 -74 | -85.82 | |||
| 169.3 | Aug 24 | -15.0 | -11.9 | -7.9 | 6 1 | -4 -4 | -23.58 | |||
| 169.3 | Aug 24 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -75 -69 | -85.77 | |||
| 169.8 | Aug 25 | 2 0 | -2 -3 | -25.09 | ||||||
| 169.8 | Aug 25 | -75 -74 | -75 -70 | -84.89 | ||||||
| 170.4 | Aug 26 | -12.5 | -11.4 | -7.8 | 2 -5 | -1 -5 | -24.70 | |||
| 170.4 | Aug 26 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -75 | -75 -74 | -84.78 | |||
| 170.9 | Aug 27 | 11 5 | -1 -2 | -24.32 | ||||||
| 170.9 | Aug 27 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -73 | -86 -75 | -86.02 (Ls 171.159) | |||
| 171.5 | Aug 28 | -13.0 | -11.9 | -8.2 | 9 6 | -2 1 | -26.38 | |||
| 171.5 | Aug 28 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -74 -76 | -78 -77 | -85.85 | |||
| 172 | Aug 29 | -12.2 | -10.5 | -6.8 | 8 6 | -4 1 | -24.14 (Ls 171.904) | |||
| 172 | Aug 29 | -76 | -78 | -85.81 | ||||||
| 172.6 | Aug 30 | -11.0 | -10.4 | -7.4 | 8 9 | -4 -7 | -25.01 | |||
| 172.6 | Aug 30 | -77 -77 | -83 -77 | -85.72 | ||||||
| 173.1 | Aug 31 | -10.7 | -10.4 | 7.3 | 9 10 | -3 -7 | -26.28 | |||
| 173.1 | Aug 31 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -81 -77 | -85.67 | |||
| 173.7 | Sep 1 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 9 10 | -2 -8 | -26.60 | |||
| 173.7 | Sep 1 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -74 | -83 -76 | -85.99 | |||
| 174.2 | Sep 2 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 8 4 | -2 -11 | -25.15 | |||
| 174.2 | Sep 2 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -81 -69 | -85.86 | |||
| 174.8 | Sep 3 | -15.1 | -12.7 | -8.8 |
| 8 10 | -1 3 | -25.44 | ||
| 174.8 | Sep 3 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -73 | -78 -76 | -86.37 | |||
| 175.3 | Sep 4 | -14.5 | 8 7 | -1 -2 | -25.22 | |||||
| 175.3 | Sep 4 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -81 -74 | -85.98 | |||
| 175.9 | Sep 5 | -12.3 | -10.1 | -6.6 | 8 10 | -2 -3 | -25.31 | |||
| 175.9 | Sep 5 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -75 | -78 -74 | -85.32 | |||
| 176.5 | Sep 6 | -12.9 | -11.8 | -7.9 | 9 10 | -6 -1 | -25.47 | |||
| 176.5 | Sep 6 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 -75 | -78 -74 | -84.81 | |||
| 177 | Sep 7 | -16.7 | -13.2 | -9.6 | 12 17 | -5 2 | -25.55 | |||
| 177 | Sep 7 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -74 | -84 -77 | -86.73 | |||
| 177.6 | Sep 8 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A | 14 18 | -9 4 | -25.35 | |||
| 177.6 | Sep 8 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -73 | -82 -81 | -88.15 | |||
| 178.1 | Sep 9 | -15.2 | -13.3 | -9.4 | 8 N/A | 0 N/A | -24.38 | |||
| 178.1 | Sep 9 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 -77 | -77 -77 | -89.57 | |||
| 178.7 | Sep 10 | High N/A | High N/A | High N/A |
N/A | N/A | N/A | -23.40 | ||
| 178.7 | Sep 10 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 N/A | -88 -77 N/A | -86.44 | |||
| 179.3 | Sep 11 | -10.3 | -9.4 | -6.0 | 5 N/A | 1 N/A | -25.40 | |||
| 179.3 | Sep 11 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 N/A | -76 N/A | -82.30 | |||
| 179.8 | Sep 12 | -14.8 | -10.8 | -7.4 | 5 N/A | 1 N/A | -24.38 | |||
| 179.9 | Sep 12 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -73 N/A | -78 N/A | -85.77 | |||
| 180.4 | Sep 13 | -15.2 | -14.0 | -10.1 | 16 N/A | -11 N/A | -23.01 | |||
| 180.4 | Sep 13 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 N/A | N/A | -82.30 | |||
| 180.9 | Sep 14 | -13.7 | -12.7 | -9.6 | 15 N/A
| -12 N/A | -27.30 | |||
| 180.9 | Sep 14 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -75 N/A | -86 N/A | -86.17 | |||
| 181.5 | Sep 15 | -20 | -18.5 | -15.1 | 18 N/A | -11 N/A | -25.30 | |||
| 181.5 | Sep 15 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -77 N/A | -87 N/A | -84.92 | |||
| 182.1 | Sep 16 | -13.0 | -12.5 | -8.9 | 18 N/A | -10 N/A | -24.48 | |||
| 182.1 | Sep 16 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 N/A | -87 N/A | -85.29 | |||
| 182.6 | Sep 17 | -20.0 | -18.5 | -15.1 | 19 N/A | 12 N/A | -26.13 | | ||
| 182.6 | Sep 17 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -76 N/A | -79 N/A | -88.03 | |||
| 183.2 | Sep 18 | -13.4 | -11.2 | -7.7 | 8 N/A | 2 N/A | -24.77 | |||
| 183.2 | Sep 18 | Low N/A | Low N/A | Low N/A | -73 N/A | -75 N/A | -85.18 | |||
| 183.8 | Sep 19 | -16.7 | -15.2 | -11.2 | N/A | 2 N/A | -23.68 | |||
| 183.8 | Sep 19 | -77 Low N/A | -82 Low N/A | -81.92 | ||||||
Figure 3 - MSL Ground Temperature Sensor
Table 7. High Air Temperatures for Mars Pathfinder at 1 meter and MSL at 1.5 meters above ground.
| MPF Solar Longitude (Ls) | MPF Temperatures Celsius (altitude = -3.682 km) | MSL Year 1 and MSL Year 2 Temperatures Celsius (altitude = -4.4 km) | |
|
| MPF @ 1.0 meters | MSL Year 1 Air High Temp @ 1.5 m | MSL Year 2 High |
| 142.7 | -0.8 | -13 | -10 |
| 143.2 | -15.9 | -8 | -11 |
| 143.7 | -15.1 | -14 | -9 |
| 144.2 | -14.6 | -13 | -14 |
| 144.7 | -20.2 | -6 | -15 |
| 145.2 | -13.7 | -10 | -11 |
| 145.7 | High N/A | -14 | -12 |
| 146.2 | -14.0 | -12 | -15 |
| 146.7 | -14.8 | -10 | -14 |
| 147.2 | High N/A | -11 | -19 |
| 147.7 | -15.3 | -10 | -11 |
| 148.2 | -16.3 | -8 | -18 |
| 149.2 | -16.8 | -4 | -12 |
| 149.7 | -16.3 | -7 | -10 |
| 150.2 | -15.1 | -7 | -12 |
| 150.8 |
| -4 | -13 |
| 151.3 |
| -4 | -18 |
| 151.8 | -13.0 | -7 | -18 |
| 152.3 | -13.1 | -15 | -15 |
| 152.8 | -16.0 | -1 | -9 |
| 153.3 | -13.2 | -16 | -7 |
| 153.9 | -14.9 | -17 | -8 |
| 154.4 | -13.3 | -12 | -14 |
| 154.9 | -15.2 | -12 | -16 |
| 155.4 | -13.0 | -12 |
|
| 155.9 |
| -17 | -16 |
| 156.5 | N/A | -13 | -15 |
| 157 | -13.4 | -15 | -9 |
| 157.5 | -13.5 | -17 | -9 |
| 158 | -17.1 | -16 | -12 |
| 158 | Low N/A |
|
|
| 158.6 | High N/A | -7 | -6 |
| 159.1 | High N/A | -5 | -5 |
| 159.6 | -13.2 | -9 | -11 |
| 160.1 | High N/A | -2 | -5 |
| 160.7 | -13.1 | -4 | -5 |
| 161.2 | -13.7 | -2 | -16 |
| 161.7 | -10.3 | -5 | -16 |
| 162.3 | High N/A | -6 | -13 |
| 163 No MPF Weather Data until Ls 162.8. |
|
|
|
| 168.2 | 12.5 | -1 |
|
| 168.7 | -11.6 | -8 | -2 |
| 169.3 | -15.0 | -4 | -4 |
| 169.8 |
| -2 | -3 |
| 170.4 | -12.5 | -1 | -5 |
| 170.9 |
| -1 | -2 |
| 171.5 | -13.0 | -2 | 1 |
| 172 | -12.2 | -4 | 1 |
| 172.6 | -11.0 | -4 | -7 |
| 173.1 | -10.7 | -3 | -7 |
| 173.7 | High N/A | -2 | -8 |
| 174.2 | High N/A | -2 | -11 |
| 174.8 | -15.1 | -1 | 3 |
| 175.3 | -14.5 | -1 | -2 |
| 175.9 | -12.3 | -2 | -3 |
| 176.5 | -12.9 | -6 | -1 |
| 177 | -16.7 | -5 | 2 |
| 177.6 | High N/A | -9 | 4 |
| 178.1 | -15.2 | 0 | N/A |
| 178.7 | High N/A | N/A |
|
| 179.3 | -10.3 | 1 | N/A |
| 179.8 | -14.8 | 1 | N/A |
| 180.4 | -15.2 | -11 | N/A |
| 180.9 | -13.7 | -12 | N/A |
| 181.5 | -13.0 | 18 | -11 |
| 182.1 | -13.0 | -10 | N/A |
| 182.6 | -20.0 | 12 | N/A |
| 183.2 | -13.4 | 2 | N/A |
| 183.8 | -16.7 | 2 | N/A |
The Tables in this section are still under construction. The first table summarizes 38 sols when there was high temperature data for MPF and MSL (years 1 and 2). It corresponds to the days when there was also data for Viking 1. No data was included for the day of MPF landing because the sol was not complete and because the lander was likely heated by the landing (the high temperature recorded was -0.8 C).
| LS | MPF HIGH °C | MSL YR 1 HIGH °C | MSL YR 2 HIGH °C | CHANGE °C MPF DOWN TO MSL YEAR 1 | CHANGE °C MPF DOWN TO MSL YEAR 2 |
| 143.2 | -15.9 | -8 | -11 | 7.9 | 4.9 |
| 143.7 | -15.1 | -14 | -9 | 1.1 | 6.1 |
| 144.2 | -14.6 | -13 | -14 | 1.6 | 0.6 |
| 144.7 | -20.2 | -6 | -15 | 14.2 | 5.2 |
| 145.2 | -13.7 | -10 | -11 | 3.7 | 2.76 |
| 146.2 | -14 | -12 | -15 | 2 | -1 |
| 146.7 | -14.8 | -10 | -14 | 4.8 | 0.8 |
| 147.7 | -15.3 | -10 | -11 | 5.3 | 4.3 |
| 148.2 | -16.3 | -8 | -18 | 8.3 | -1.7 |
| 149.2 | -16.8 | -4 | -12 | 12.8 | 4.8 |
| 149.7 | -16.3 | -7 | -10 | 9.3 | 6.3 |
| 150.2 | -15.1 | -7 | -12 | 8.1 | 3.1 |
| 151.3 | -7.5 | -4 | -18 | 3.5 | -10.5 |
| 151.8 | -13 | -7 | -18 | 6 | -5 |
| 152.3 | -13.1 | -15 | -15 | -1.9 | -1.9 |
| 152.8 | -16 | -1 | -9 | 15 | 7 |
| 153.3 | -13.2 | -16 | -7 | -2.8 | 6.2 |
| 153.9 | -14.9 | -17 | -8 | -2.1 | 6.9 |
| 154.4 | -13.3 | -12 | -14 | 1.3 | -0.7 |
| 154.9 | -15.2 | -12 | -16 | 3.2 | -0.8 |
| 155.4 | -13 | -12 | -15 | 1 | -2 |
| 157 | -13.4 | -15 | -9 | -1.6 | 4.4 |
| 158 | -17.1 | -16 | -12 | 1.1 | 5.1 |
| 159.6 | -13.2 | -9 | -11 | 4.2 | 2.2 |
| 160.7 | -13.1 | -4 | -5 | 9.1 | 8.1 |
| 161.2 | -13.7 | -2 | -16 | 11.7 | -2.3 |
| 161.7 | -10.3 | -5 | -16 | 5.3 | -5.7 |
| 168.7 | -11.6 | -8 | -2 | 3.6 | 9.6 |
| 170.4 | -12.5 | -1 | -5 | 11.5 | 7.5 |
| 170.9 | -6.8 | -1 | -2 | 5.8 | 4.8 |
| 171.5 | -13 | -2 | 1 | 11 | 14 |
| 172 | -12.2 | -4 | 1 | 8.2 | 13.2 |
| 172.6 | -11 | -4 | -7 | 7 | 4 |
| 173.1 | -10.7 | -3 | -7 | 7.7 | 3.7 |
| 174.8 | -15.1 | -1 | 3 | 14.1 | 18.1 |
| 175.3 | -14.5 | -1 | -2 | 13.5 | 12.5 |
| 175.9 | -12.3 | -2 | -3 | 10.3 | 9.3 |
| 177 | -16.7 | -5 | 2 | 11.7 | 18.7 |
| total | -524.5 | -288 | -362 | 236.5 | 162.5 |
| MEAN TEMP °C | -13.80263158 | -7.578947368 | -9.52631579 | 6.223684211 | 4.27631579 |
| ADIABATIC RATE OF CHANGE PER KM = 6.224K/0.718KM = 8.6685 | ADIABATIC RATE OF CHANGE PER KM = 4.27631/0.718KM= 5.9558716 | ||||
| Expected change °C over 718m due to -4.5K/km Adiabatic Lapse Rate. MPF @ -3,682m and MSL @ -4,400 m. | 3.231 | 3.231 | |||
| Variance from Expected Lapse Rate of 4.5 | 4.1685°C | 1.4559°C |
The lapse rate is defined as the rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. The adiabatic process for air has a characteristic temperature-pressure curve, so the process determines the lapse rate. In the troposphere up to 12 km (39,000 feet) when the air contains little water, this lapse rate is known as the dry adiabatic lapse rate: the rate of temperature decrease is 9.8 °C/km (5.38 °F per 1,000 ft) (3.0 °C/1,000 ft). The reverse occurs for a sinking parcel of air.
The moist adiabatic lapse rate varies strongly with temperature. A typical value is around 5 °C/km (2.7 °F/1,000 ft) (1.5 °C/1,000 ft).
The following Table compares high air temperatures seen by MSL and Viking 1, but only for the same sols as were shown on the Table above where there was data for MPF.
| LS | VIKING 1 HIGH °C | MSL YR 1 HIGH °C | MSL YR 2 HIGH °C | CHANGE °C VL-1 DOWN TO MSL YEAR 1 | CHANGE °VL-1 DOWN TO MSL YEAR 2 |
| 143.2 | -25.68 | -8 | -11 | 17.68 | 14.68 |
| 143.7 | -26.63 | -14 | -9 | 12.63 | 17.63 |
| 144.2 | -25.11 | -13 | -14 | 12.11 | 11.11 |
| 144.7 | -25.8 | -6 | -15 | 19.8 | 10.8 |
| 145.2 | -24.67 | -10 | -11 | 14.67 | 13.67 |
| 146.2 | -17.38 | -12 | -15 | 5.38 | 2.38 |
| 146.7 | -21.75 | -10 | -14 | 11.75 | 7.75 |
| 147.7 | -23.39 | -10 | -11 | 13.39 | 12.39 |
| 148.2 | -24.94 | -8 | -18 | 16.94 | 6.94 |
| 149.2 | -23.94 | -4 | -12 | 19.94 | 11.94 |
| 149.7 | -25.13 | -7 | -10 | 18.13 | 15.13 |
| 150.2 | -24.4 | -7 | -12 | 17.4 | 12.4 |
| 151.3 | -25.95 | -4 | -18 | 21.95 | 7.95 |
| 151.8 | -24.46 | -7 | -18 | 17.46 | 6.46 |
| 152.3 | -25.33 | -15 | -15 | 10.33 | 10.33 |
| 152.8 | -24.63 | -1 | -9 | 23.63 | 15.63 |
| 153.3 | -25.44 | -16 | -7 | 9.44 | 18.44 |
| 153.9 | -17.53 | -17 | -8 | 0.53 | 9.53 |
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 154.4 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 154.9 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 155.4 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 157 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 158 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 159.6 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 160.7 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 161.2 | 0 | 0 | |||
| JOINT DATA NOT AVAILABLE 161.7 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 168.7 | -25.33 | -8 | -2 | 17.33 | 23.33 |
| 170.4 | -24.7 | -1 | -5 | 23.7 | 19.7 |
| 170.9 | -24.32 | -1 | -2 | 23.32 | 22.32 |
| 171.5 | -26.38 | -2 | 1 | 24.38 | 27.38 |
| 172 | -24.14 | -4 | 1 | 20.14 | 25.14 |
| 172.6 | -25.01 | -4 | -7 | 21.01 | 18.01 |
| 173.1 | -26.28 | -3 | -7 | 23.28 | 19.28 |
| 174.8 | -25.44 | -1 | 3 | 24.44 | 28.44 |
| 175.3 | -25.22 | -1 | -2 | 24.22 | 23.22 |
| 175.9 | -25.31 | -2 | -3 | 23.31 | 22.31 |
| 177 | -25.77 | -5 | 2 | 20.77 | 27.77 |
| TOTALS | -710.06 | -201 | -248 | 509.06 | 462.06 |
| MEAN TEMP °C FOR 29 SOLS | -24.48482759 | -6.93103448 | -8.551724138 | ||
| TEMP DIFFERENCE OVER 773 M | 17.5537931 | 15.93310345 | |||
| OBSERVED LAPSE RATE EXTRAPOLATED TO 1 KM | 22.70865861 | 20.61203551 | |||
| TEXT BOOK ADIABATIC RATE (4.5 K/KM) | 4.5 | 4.5 |
The observed lapse rates above seem quite different than those posted for the MPF-MSLcomparison. So we will next compare MPF with Viking 1. This comparison is less problematic than those in the two tables just given because MPF and Viking 1 were at somewhat similar latitudes and altitudes.
| MPF Solar Longitude (Ls) | MPF Temperatures Celsius (altitude = -3.682 km) | Viking 1 Temperatures Celsius (altitude = -3.627 km) |
| 1.0 meters | VL-1 Air Temp High | |
| 142.7 | -0.8 | -25.08 |
| 143.2 | -15.9 | -25.68 |
| 143.7 | -15.1 | -25.63 |
| 144.2 | -14.6 | -25.11 |
| 144.7 | -13.7 | -24.64 |
| 145.2 | -14 | -17.38 |
| 146.2 | -14.8 | -21.75 |
| 146.7 | -15.3 | -23.39 |
| 147.7 | -16.3 | -24.94 |
| 148.2 | -16.8 | -23.94 |
| 149.2 | -16.3 | -25.13 |
| 149.7 | -15.1 | -24.4 |
| 150.2 | -13 | -24.46 |
| 151.8 | -13.1 | -25.33 |
| 152.3 | -16 | -24.63 |
| 152.8 | -13.2 | -25.33 |
| 153.3 | -14.9 | -17.53 |
| 153.9 | -12.5 | -25.3 |
| 168.2 | -11.6 | -25.33 |
| 168.7 | -15 | -23.58 |
| 169.8 | -12.5 | -24.7 |
| 170.9 | -13 | -26.38 |
| 171.5 | -11 | -25.01 |
| 172.6 | -10.7 | -26.28 |
| 173.1 | -15.1 | -25.44 |
| 174.8 | -14.5 | -25.22 |
| 175.3 | -12.3 | -25.31 |
| 175.9 | -12.9 | -25.47 |
| 176.5 | -16.7 | -25.55 |
| 177 | -15.2 | -24.38 |
| 178.1 | -10.3 | -25.4 |
| 179.3 | -14.8 | -24.38 |
| 179.8 | -15.2 | -23.01 |
| 180.4 | -13.7 | -27.3 |
| 180.9 | -20 | -25.3 |
| 181.5 | -13 | -24.48 |
| 182.1 | -20 | -26.13 |
| 182.6 | -13.4 | -24.77 |
| 183.2 | -16.7 | -23.68 |
| TOTALS | -532.3 | -932.29 |
| MEAN TEMPERATURES | -13.64871795 | -23.90487179 |
Viking 1 temperatures were about 10.2 °C colder than MPF although it was only 55 meters higher than Mars Pathfinder!