An evidence for solar activity influence on the meteorological processes in the south polar region of Mars during the great opposition in AD 1924

TL;DR

This study investigates the correlation between solar activity and meteorological processes on Mars by analyzing polar cap size variations during the 1924 opposition, revealing potential solar influence on Martian climate patterns.

Contribution

It provides evidence of a link between sunspot activity and Martian polar cap changes during a specific historical period.

Findings

Polar cap size residuals show cycles of 36 and 80-82 days.

Maximum polar cap residuals occur about 10 days after sunspot minima.

Sunspot activity spectra align with polar cap variations.

Abstract

A time series of the Martian south ice polar cap mean diameter for the period July-December 1924 is investigated. The data are based on the high quality pictures, which are obtained by visual observations of 60 cm telescope in Hamburg Observatory during the great opposition of Mars in AD 1924. After removing of the seasonal trend (caused by the springtime regression of the cap) quasi 36 and 80-82 days cycles in residuals has been obtained. The sunspot activity spectra for the corresponding period is almost the same one. The local maximums of polar cap area residuals has been occured of about 10 days after the corresponding minimums of sunspot activity. The so obtained results are briefly discussed.