Thermophysics
Encyclopedia
Thermophysics in general is the geological application of thermal physics
which is related to the classical physics study of thermal science
.
that uses the naturally occurring surface temperature as a function of the cyclical variation in solar radiation to charactertize planetary material properties.
Thermophysical properties are characteristics that control the diurnal, seasonal, or climatic surface and subsurface temperature variations (or thermal curves) of a material. The most important thermophysical property is thermal inertia, which controls the amplitude of the thermal curve and albedo
(or reflectivity
), which controls the average temperature.
This field of observations and computer modeling was first applied to Mars
due to the ideal atmospheric pressure for characterizing granular materials based upon temperature [Wechsler and Glaser, 1965]. The Mariner 6, Mariner 7, and Mariner 9
spacecraft carried thermal infrared radiometers [Neugebauer, et al., 1971; Kieffer et al., 1973], and a global map of thermal inertia was produced from modeled surface temperatures [Kieffer, et al., 1977] collected by the Infrared Thermal Mapper Instruments (IRTM) on-board the Viking 1
and 2 Orbiters.
The original thermophysical models were based upon the studies of lunar temperature variations by Wesselink [1948] and Jaeger [1953]. Further development of the models for Mars included surface-atmosphere energy transfer [Leovy, 1966], atmospheric back-radiation [Neugebauer et al., 1971], surface emissivity variations [Kieffer et al., 1973], CO2 frost and blocky surfaces [Kieffer et al., 1977], variability of atmospheric back-radiation [Haberle and Jakosky, 1991], effects of a radiative-convective atmosphere [Hayashi et al., 1995], and single-point temperature observations [Jakosky et al., 2000; Mellon et al., 2000].
Thermal physics
Thermal physics is the combined study of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory. This umbrella-subject is typically designed for physics students and functions to provide a general introduction to each of three core heat-related subjects...
which is related to the classical physics study of thermal science
Thermal science
Thermal science is the combined study of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and combustion.-Overview:Introductory subjects studied in thermal science generally are focused on thermodynamics...
.
Remote Sensing
Earth thermophysics is a branch of geophysicsGeophysics
Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
that uses the naturally occurring surface temperature as a function of the cyclical variation in solar radiation to charactertize planetary material properties.
Thermophysical properties are characteristics that control the diurnal, seasonal, or climatic surface and subsurface temperature variations (or thermal curves) of a material. The most important thermophysical property is thermal inertia, which controls the amplitude of the thermal curve and albedo
Albedo
Albedo , or reflection coefficient, is the diffuse reflectivity or reflecting power of a surface. It is defined as the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it...
(or reflectivity
Reflectivity
In optics and photometry, reflectivity is the fraction of incident radiation reflected by a surface. In general it must be treated as a directional property that is a function of the reflected direction, the incident direction, and the incident wavelength...
), which controls the average temperature.
This field of observations and computer modeling was first applied to Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
due to the ideal atmospheric pressure for characterizing granular materials based upon temperature [Wechsler and Glaser, 1965]. The Mariner 6, Mariner 7, and Mariner 9
Mariner 9
Mariner 9 was a NASA space orbiter that helped in the exploration of Mars and was part of the Mariner program. Mariner 9 was launched toward Mars on May 30, 1971 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and reached the planet on November 13 of the same year, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit...
spacecraft carried thermal infrared radiometers [Neugebauer, et al., 1971; Kieffer et al., 1973], and a global map of thermal inertia was produced from modeled surface temperatures [Kieffer, et al., 1977] collected by the Infrared Thermal Mapper Instruments (IRTM) on-board the Viking 1
Viking 1
Viking 1 was the first of two spacecraft sent to Mars as part of NASA's Viking program. It was the first spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and perform its mission, and until May 19, 2010 held the record for the second longest Mars surface mission of 6 years and 116 days .- Mission :Following...
and 2 Orbiters.
The original thermophysical models were based upon the studies of lunar temperature variations by Wesselink [1948] and Jaeger [1953]. Further development of the models for Mars included surface-atmosphere energy transfer [Leovy, 1966], atmospheric back-radiation [Neugebauer et al., 1971], surface emissivity variations [Kieffer et al., 1973], CO2 frost and blocky surfaces [Kieffer et al., 1977], variability of atmospheric back-radiation [Haberle and Jakosky, 1991], effects of a radiative-convective atmosphere [Hayashi et al., 1995], and single-point temperature observations [Jakosky et al., 2000; Mellon et al., 2000].