
The Planetary Systems Laboratory has a significant role for the Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) that have explored the surface of this fascinating planet. Dr. Michael D. Smith is a Participating Scientist for the MER mission, with specific focus on the atmospheric science derived using the Mini-TES instrument. Dr. Smith's results encompass sensing changes in the martian atmosphere from diurnal to seasonal time scales, and he has defined the nature of the atmospheric temperature profile in the planetary boundary layer. His Mini-TES results also include observations of thermal turbulence and gravity waves induced by solar surface heating.
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