In Situ UV Measurements by MSL/REMS: Dust Deposition and Angular Response Corrections

Abstract

Measurements by the REMS/UV sensor onboard the MSL Curiosity rover constitute the first in situ dataset of UV radiation flux at the surface of Mars. Due to its position on the Curiosity deck, the UV sensor has been directly exposed to dust deposition. Inaccuracies in the original angular response calibration functions have led to discrepancies between measured and physically-expected UV fluxes when the solar zenith angle (theta) relative to the rover frame is between 20 degrees and 55 degrees. Here we present a methodology to correct UV fluxes when theta < 55 degrees for both effects, and show results of the corrected data set for the first 2003 sols (similar to 3 Martian Years, MY) of the MSL mission, from L-s similar to 151 degrees in MY 31 to L-s similar to 149 degrees in MY 34. Close to noon, when. values are typically < 30 degrees, relative differences between corrected and original UV fluxes are similar to 35 - 40% on average. Outside hours close to noon, when theta is typically > 30 degrees, relative differences are greater than 100%. Measurements acquired when 20 degrees < theta < 55 degrees represent similar to 45% of the whole dataset with theta < 90 degrees. UV fluxes generated in this study are available in the NASA Planetary Data System (https://atmos.nmsu.edu/PDS/data/mslrem_1001/DATA_UV_CORRECTED/), and are important to study the effect of UV radiation on the variability of atmospheric constituents, to recreate accurate UV doses for biological laboratory experiments, to perform combined analyses of satellite and ground-based measurements, and to allow comparisons of the UV radiation environment at different locations with the upcoming ExoMars 2020 and Mars 2020 missions.