Elsevier

Icarus

Volume 29, Issue 3, November 1976, Pages 381-393
Icarus

Saltation threshold on Mars: The effect of interparticle force, surface roughness, and low atmospheric density

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Abstract

The effect of interparticle forces, as well as changes in surface roughness, particle diameter and density, and atmospheric density and viscosity are considered in new estimates of saltation thershold on Mars. These estimates result in somewhat lower minimum values of predicted threshold speed than by use of the “universal” A-B curve, with the minimum threshold speed occuring at smaller values of particle diameter. It is shown that the new predictions are much closer to the limited low atmospheric density data available than if the older method of estimation is used.

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  • Cited by (0)

    1

    Mail address: Space Sciences Division, Ames Research Center, NASA, Moffett Field, Calif. 94035.

    2

    Current Address: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of California at Davis, Davis, Calif. 95616.

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