Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:49
Manufacturing Simple and Inexpensive Soil Surface Temperature and Gravimetric Water Content Sensors
Published on: December 21, 2019
Early meteorological results from the viking 2 lander
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 11, 1976
Summary
Viking 2 lander meteorological data reveals highly repetitive daily temperature, wind, and pressure patterns in early Martian summer. These patterns showed minor deviations starting on sol 37.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Atmospheric Science
- Mars Meteorology
Background:
- The Viking missions aimed to study Mars's surface and atmosphere.
- Understanding Martian weather patterns is crucial for future exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present early meteorological findings from the Viking 2 lander.
- To characterize diurnal and seasonal variations in Martian weather.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from meteorological instruments onboard the Viking 2 lander.
- Observation of temperature, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure.
Main Results:
- Highly repetitive daily patterns in temperature, wind, and pressure were observed, similar to Viking 1.
- Average daily temperatures ranged from 191 K (minimum) to 241 K (maximum).
- Wind exhibited a mean of 0.7 m/s from the southeast with a diurnal amplitude of 3 m/s.
- Pressure showed diurnal and semidiurnal oscillations, smaller in amplitude than those on Viking 1.
- Deviations from repetitive patterns began around sol 37.
Conclusions:
- Early Martian summer weather on Mars is characterized by predictable diurnal cycles.
- The Viking 2 lander provided valuable data on Martian atmospheric dynamics.
- Subtle changes in weather patterns may indicate seasonal transitions or other atmospheric phenomena.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Precipitation Gravimetry
Precipitation gravimetry is based on converting an analyte into a sparingly soluble precipitate, which is separated by filtration and weighed. An ideal precipitate should be pure, insoluble, of known composition, and easily filtered from the reaction mixture.
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
02:06Conditions on Early Earth
Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.
02:06Conditions on Early Earth
Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.
01:50Global Climate Change
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
01:18Boundary Layer Characteristics
When a fluid encounters a solid surface, a boundary layer forms due to the interaction between the fluid's motion and the stationary surface. This phenomenon is characterized by a thin region adjacent to the surface where viscous forces dominate, influencing the fluid's velocity profile. The development of the boundary layer begins at the leading edge of the surface and evolves as the fluid moves downstream.As the fluid flows over the surface, friction between the fluid and the wall slows down...