Observations of non-LTE emission at 4–5 microns with the planetary Fourier spectrometer abord the Mars Express mission

We report on PFS-MEX (Planetary Fourier Spectrometer on board Mars Express) limb observations of the non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium emission by CO and CO2 isotopic molecules. The CO emission is observed peaking at altitudes lower than the CO2 emission peak. Two orbits have been considered, which explore latitudes from 75 to 15° N, located in local time at 11:30 and 06:40, and with L s = 138 ° and 168°, respectively. In general in the season considered (northern summer) the emission intensity increases going to lower latitudes. The peak emission height is also decreasing with decreasing latitude. The CO2 isotopic molecules are emitting radiance out of proportion with respect to the normal isotopic abundance, which surely indicates a strong contribution from a large number of much weaker CO2 bands, a result that will demand careful theoretical modeling. By comparison with Hitran data base we can identify, among the emitting bands, the second hot band for the 626 and 636 molecule, while for the 628 and 627 emission from the third hot bands are very possible. Other minor bands or lines are also observed in emission for the first time in Mars. In one of the two orbits considered, the orbit 1234 of MEX, we also observe at altitudes 80–85 km scattered radiation, with indication of CO2 ice aerosols as scattering centers. At the same altitude the Pathfinder descending measurements show a temperature that allows CO2 condensation. Pathfinder measurements were at 03:00 local time, while our observations are for orbit 1234 showing CO2 ice signature at 11:30 local time. These non-LTE limb emissions, with their unprecedented spectral resolution in this portion of the near infrared and their sensitivity and geographical coverage, will represent in our opinion an excellent data set for testing current theoretical models of the martian upper atmosphere.