Hinson, D. P., R. J. Wilson, M. D. Smith, and B. J. Conrath, 2003: Stationary planetary waves in the atmosphere of Mars during southern winter. Journal of Geophysical Research, 108(E1), 5004, 10.1029/2002JE001949.

Abstract: We report new observations of stationary planetary waves in the Southern Hemisphere of Mars by Mars Global Surveyor (MGS). We focus on a period during midwinter (Ls = 134° – 160°) when independent observations were acquired by two techniques. Radio occultation experiments sounded the atmosphere at essentially fixed latitude (~68°S) and local time (~1030), yielding profiles of geopotential and temperature between the surface and the 9 Pa pressure level. Observations by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) included systematic limb sounding at nine discrete latitudes and two local times (~0200 and ~1500), yielding temperature profiles at pressures of 1–100 Pa. We supplemented these data with a simulation by a Mars general circulation model (MGCM), which provides an accurate synthesis of the observations. These stationary planetary waves have significant amplitudes at zonal wave numbers s =1 and 2. The s =1 component propagates vertically, as reflected by a westward tilt with increasing height in the geopotential and temperature fields and a net poleward eddy heat flux. The peak amplitude at s =1 is ~1 km in geopotential height and ~7 K in temperature. The geopotential field of the s =2 component is "barotropic" in character, which results through hydrostatic balance in a distinctive temperature field. The peak amplitude at s =2 is ~700 m in geopotential height and 4 – 6 K in temperature.