Seasonal and Diurnal Variability of Atmospheric Pressure in Jezero Crater, Mars, from MEDA Measurements on the Perseverance Rover

TL;DR

This study analyzes atmospheric pressure variations in Jezero Crater on Mars using MEDA measurements, revealing seasonal and diurnal patterns influenced by insolation, CO2 cycles, and local topography, with implications for Martian atmospheric dynamics.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of pressure variability in Jezero Crater, highlighting the influence of local topography and orbital factors on atmospheric fluctuations.

Findings

Jezero exhibits larger diurnal pressure swings than Gale Crater.

Pressure variations are linked to solar insolation, CO2 cycles, and topography.

Unexpected pressure increase during northern winter suggests complex atmospheric interactions.

Abstract

We present an analysis of atmospheric pressure variability inside Jezero Crater on Mars based on measurements from the MEDA meteorological station aboard NASA's Perseverance rover. Pressure data from Sols 182, 361, 504, and 658 reveal seasonal and diurnal fluctuations linked to solar insolation, CO2 condensation and sublimation cycles, and local geomorphology. During Sol 504, an unexpected pressure increase was recorded despite coinciding with the onset of northern winter, suggesting the influence of perihelion and dust-related thermal tides. Statistical parameters such as mean, standard deviation, and amplitude show that Jezero exhibits larger diurnal pressure swings than Gale Crater, mainly due to its lower latitude and topographic confinement. These results demonstrate the strong coupling between Martian atmospheric dynamics, orbital configuration, and local topography, and illustrate the value of MEDA data for characterizing short-term and seasonal variations in the Martian boundary layer.