Assimilating TES radiances with the DART/Planet-WRF ensemble data assimilation system

The Planet-WRF numerical model configured for Mars has been combined with

the Data Assimilation Research Testbed ensemble data assimilation

system to produce a comprehensive ensemble assimilation system for Mars.

Radiance observations from the TES instrument on the Mars Global

Surveyor have been assimilated over a period of several days to evaluate

the capabilities of the assimilation system. Not surprisingly, systematic

differences between the model prior estimates of the atmospheric state

and the radiance observations are large enough to necessitate the use

of DART's adaptive inflation tools for dealing with systematic error.

Examining the spatial pattern of the inflation and the locations of

observations that are rejected as outliers by the assimilation system

shows that the best results are obtained over the poles, at least for the

season that was investigated. Plans for improving the system and

producing extended ensemble assimilations are presented.