Demonstration of ensemble data assimilation for Mars using DART, MarsWRF, and radiance observations from MGS TES

The system uses the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) software to apply an Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) to the MarsWRF GCM. Specific application to Mars also required the development of a radiance forward model for near--nadir Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) observations.

Preliminary results from an assimilation of 40 sols of TES radiance data, taken around $\mathrm{L}_\mathrm{s}=150\,^\circ$ (August 1999, Mars Year 24), are provided. 1.3 million TES observations are ingested and used to improve the state prediction by the GCM, with bias and error reductions obtained throughout the state vector. Results from the assimilation suggest steepening of the latitudinal and vertical thermal gradients with concurrent strengthening of the mid--latitude zonal jets, and a slower recession of the southern polar ice edge than predicted by the unaided GCM.