Initial investigation on different types of clouds observed by Mars Color Camera (MCC) from India's first Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)

In the present work, we analyzed different types of clouds observed at the limb as well as over the surface of the red planet by MCC and estimated the atmospheric parameter associated with it. Our analysis based on the data collected by Mars Colour Camera (MCC) on board Indian Mars Orbiter Mission during orbit number 44,45,48,49, 50,51,179,187,190,191,466 and 474. Estimated height of the high altitude cloud varies from 40 to 76 km and horizontal spreading of 400 to 1100 km. We used ARC-GIS to detect the area over which the high altitude clouds are observed. These detached layers of clouds are found to be formed of Dust and water-ice particle. MRO-MCS and MARCI confirms few dust events during the appearance of the high altitude cloud. Lee-wave cloud images are captured during the MY33 and MY34. Estimated wavelength of the Lee wave cloud varies from 38 to 44 km while wind speed varies from 54 to 64 m/sec. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) as a function of altitude varies from 0.6 to 2.4 for red channel and 0.8 to 1.8 for blue channel for the captured events. We consulted Global Circulation Model (GCM) as well as MOLA-DEM to frame the AOD output. Estimated wind speed profile from MCC and MARCI-MGDM suggested the circulation of strong wind across the globe and delivered input to formation of clouds through different processes related to the atmosphere dynamics viz. Deep Convection, Orographic lift, Thermal updraft, etc. In our present study we tried to estimate the parameter related to these processes and tried to correlate them with the observed events.