University of Houston researchers develop first meridional radiant energy budget profile for Mars

Scientists at the University of Houston have made significant progress in understanding Mars' climate and weather, providing valuable insights into Earth's atmospheric processes. Led by Larry Guan, a graduate student in the Department of Physics at UH's College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the team developed the first meridional profile of Mars’ radiant energy budget (REB). This profile indicates the balance between absorbed solar energy and emitted thermal energy across latitudes.

The study was conducted under the guidance of Professor Liming Li from the Department of Physics and Professor Xun Jiang from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. The research has been published in AGU Advances and will be featured in AGU’s science magazine EOS.

“The work in establishing Mars’ first meridional radiant energy budget profile is noteworthy,” Guan said. He emphasized that understanding Earth's climate relies heavily on REB profiles, so having one for Mars allows for critical climatological comparisons.

Professor Liming Li stated, “This research not only deepens our knowledge of the red planet but also provides critical insights into planetary atmospheric processes.”

Based on long-term observations from orbiting spacecraft, this profile offers a detailed comparison between Mars' REB and Earth's. While Earth has an energy surplus in tropical regions and a deficit at the poles, Mars shows an opposite pattern.

“On Earth, the tropical energy surplus drives warming and upward atmospheric motion, while the polar energy deficit causes cooling and downward atmospheric motion,” explained Jiang. On Mars, however, there is a polar energy surplus and a tropical deficit.

Guan noted that this surplus is especially pronounced during spring in Mars' southern hemisphere. It plays a crucial role in driving atmospheric circulation and triggering global dust storms—key features of Martian weather that can envelop the entire planet.

“The interaction between dust storms and the REB, as well as with polar ice dynamics, brings to light complex feedback processes likely shaping Martian weather patterns and long-term climate stability,” Guan added.

The researchers are now examining potential long-term energy imbalances on Mars to understand their implications for its climate evolution. “The REB difference between the two planets is truly fascinating," said Li.

Other contributors to this research include UH graduate students Ellen Creecy and Xinyue Wang; renowned planetary scientists Germán Martínez from Houston’s Lunar and Planetary Institute; Anthony Toigo from Johns Hopkins University; Mark Richardson from Aeolis Research; Prof. Agustín Sánchez-Lavega from Universidad del País Vasco, Spain; and Prof. Yeon Joo Lee from South Korea's Institute for Basic Science.