York University
Investigating Variability in Ice, Dust and Methane at Gale Crater — By observing cloud shapes and motions we will constrain different processes that contribute to the weather on Mars, many of which also operate on the Earth. By observing the motions and how the quantity of dust in the atmosphere varies with height and location within Gale, we will better understand the mixing of the atmosphere close to the surface driven by solar heating. Lastly, we may use this improved understanding of weather to explain spikes observed in the amount of methane and whether the source is small and local, or is carried into the crater from a larger, distant source.