NASA NTRS1992
We have constructed a more accurate Mars thermal model, similar to the one used by Leighton and Murray in 1966, which solves radiative, conductive, and latent heat balance at the surface as well as the one-dimensional heat conduction equation for 40 layers to a depth of 15 meters every 1/36 of a Martian day. The planet is divided into 42 latitude bands with a resolution of two degrees near the poles and five degrees at lower latitudes, with elevations relative to the 6.1 mbar reference areoid. This estimate of the Martian zonally averaged topography was derived primarily from radio occultations. We show that a realistic one-dimensional thermal model is able to reproduce the VL1 pressure curve reasonably well without having to invoke complicated atmospheric effects such as dust storms and polar hoods. Although these factors may cause our deduced values for each model parameter to differ from its true value, we believe that this simple model can be used as a platform to study many aspects of the Martian CO2 cycle over seasonal, interannual, and long-term climate timescales.