Initial Results of the Relative Humidity Observations by MEDA Instrument Onboard the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover

Abstract

The Mars 2020 mission rover “Perseverance”, launched on 30 July 2020 by NASA, landed successfully 18 February 2021 at Jezero Crater, Mars (Lon. E 77.4509° Lat. N 18.4446°). The landing took place at Mars solar longitude Ls = 5.2°, close to start of the northern spring. Perseverance's payload includes the relative humidity sensor MEDA HS (Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer Humidity Sensor), which operations, performance, and the first observations from sol 80 to sol 410 (Ls 44°–210°) of Perseverance's operations we describe. The relative humidity measured by MEDA‐HS is reliable from late night hours to few tens of minutes after sunrise when the measured humidity is greater than 2% (referenced to sensor temperature). Data delivered to the Planetary Data System include relative humidity, sensor temperature, uncertainty of relative humidity, and volume mixing ratio (VMR). VMR is calculated using the MEDA‐PS pressure sensor values. According to observations, nighttime absolute humidity follows a seasonal curve in which release of water vapor from the northern cap with advancing northern spring and summer is visible. At ground level, frost conditions may have been reached a few times during this season (Ls 44°–210°). Volume mixing ratio values show a declining diurnal trend from the midnight toward the morning suggesting adsorption of humidity into the ground. Observations are compared with an adsorptive single‐column model, which complies with observations and confirms adsorption. The model allows estimating daytime VMR levels. Short‐term subhour timescales show large temporal fluctuations in humidity, which suggest vertical and spatial advection.

Plain Language Summary

The Mars 2020 mission rover “Perseverance” landed successfully on 18 February 2021 at Jezero Crater, Mars. The rover's payload includes a versatile instrument suite which includes a relative humidity sensor, whose observations for the first 410 Martian days are described here. The observations show how the lowest level of atmosphere is generally dry but still exceeding saturation is feasible because of cold nights. Sensor operations and accuracy estimates are presented. Relative humidity together with MEDA pressure and air temperature observations allow calculating absolute water vapor content of air at the sensor level at nighttime. Humidity observations are also compared with models describing water vapor adsorption and desorption into and out from soil. The results show how atmospheric humidity at the rover's site experiences large subhour variability. Humidity observations help to understand interchange of humidity between the soil and the atmosphere. Water is mandatory for life, such as on earth, thus understanding these water cycle processes better are important for evaluating possibilities of past and current habitability of Mars. Perseverance is also collecting samples which maybe returned to Earth one day. Knowledge of the conditions at the times when samples were collected maybe useful.

Key Points

• Humidity observations in Mars by M2020 Perseverance rover during the first 410 sols of operation are shown and discussed

• Humidity sensor MEDA‐HS operations and sensor accuracy are explained

• Adsorptive single column model is tested and compared with humidity observations