The temperature in mars
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Temperature on Mars: An Overview
Martian Surface Temperature Distribution
The surface temperature on Mars varies significantly across different regions and times of the day. Historical radiometric measurements indicate that the bright areas along the center of the Martian disk have temperatures ranging from -10°C to +5°C, while the dark areas are warmer, with temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. The polar regions exhibit extreme temperatures, with the north polar region maintaining a constant -70°C during winter, and the south polar region reaching up to 10°C during the Martian summer solstice.
Seasonal and Diurnal Temperature Variations
Mars experiences substantial seasonal and diurnal temperature fluctuations. Near-surface atmospheric temperatures, measured by the Mars Exploration Rovers, show that the atmosphere is consistently 20 K cooler than the surface during the warmest part of the day, around 1300-1400 LTST (local true solar time). Seasonal cooling trends are also evident, with significant temperature drops during the early afternoon hours when the near-surface atmosphere becomes unstable.
Influence of Martian Atmosphere and Thermal Inertia
The Martian atmosphere and surface properties play crucial roles in temperature regulation. The thermal inertia of the Martian surface, which is influenced by particle size and atmospheric pressure, affects how quickly the surface heats up and cools down. Darker areas with larger particle sizes or higher atmospheric pressure exhibit higher thermal inertia, leading to slower temperature changes. The mean microwave brightness temperature of Mars is about 200 K, indicating significant thermal inertia.
Impact of Milankovitch Cycles
Mars' temperature is also influenced by its orbital parameters, particularly the precession and obliquity cycles. The annual mean surface temperature near ±60° latitude varies predominantly with precession, while other latitudes are more affected by the obliquity cycle. These cycles cause temperature variations that can affect the stability and distribution of ice-rich permafrost layers.
Theoretical Temperature Estimates
Theoretical models estimate the average surface temperature on Mars to be between 219 K and 233 K, based on radiative equilibrium considerations. These estimates align reasonably well with observational data from thermal emission studies. Additionally, the average vertical temperature distribution in the Martian atmosphere is controlled by radiative and convective processes, with surface temperatures assumed to be around 230 K.
Early Martian Climate
Geological evidence suggests that early Mars may have had a warmer and wetter climate, allowing for liquid water to flow on its surface. However, models indicate that a CO2 and H2O atmosphere alone could not have produced mean planetary temperatures close to 0°C. Instead, modest warming could have been achieved through additional greenhouse gases like CH4, NH3, or SO2, or through episodic high obliquities. Despite these factors, the early Martian climate likely remained cold, necessitating non-climatic mechanisms to explain the presence of liquid water.
Conclusion
Mars exhibits a complex and dynamic temperature profile influenced by its atmosphere, surface properties, and orbital parameters. While the planet experiences significant temperature variations, both seasonally and diurnally, the overall climate remains cold, with average surface temperatures well below freezing. Understanding these temperature dynamics is crucial for future exploration and potential habitability studies.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic