Back to Modeling

I have been back to modeling again. I'm using Ames Mars General Circulation Model (GCM) computational model to research a possible connection to gravity waves either triggering or assisting in the development of global dust storms. Below is a movie showing the average temperature from this model through the course of a few years. The y-axis can generally be thought of pressure decreasing upwards, the x-axis is latitude. Red is warmer, blue is colder, and the "blank blue" region at the bottom are pressures not reached by the surface. Notice how the surface pressure changes through the year. Mars transfers mass between the polar icecaps and results in meridional flow unique when compared to Earth.

In future posts I will likely be sharing some video of a 3d model recently developed from the past 2d model presented previously here. I am also working on adding some terrain following coordinates for the code (will explain more later). For fun I also added a magnetic field to one version of the code, and I am exploring some "wacky" behavior caused by magnetohydrodynamics!