Dust Lifting Through Surface Albedo Changes at Jezero Crater, Mars

We identify temporal variations in surface albedo at Jezero crater using first‐of‐their‐kind high‐cadence in‐situ measurements of reflected shortwave radiation during the first 350 sols of the Mars 2020 mission. Simultaneous Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) measurements of pressure, radiative fluxes, winds, and sky brightness indicate that these albedo changes are caused by dust devils under typical conditions and by a dust storm at Ls∼ 155°. The 17% decrease in albedo caused by the dust storm is one order of magnitude larger than the most apparent changes caused during quiescent periods by dust devils. Spectral reflectance measurements from Mastcam‐Z images before and after the storm indicate that the decrease in albedo is mainly caused by dust removal. The occurrence of albedo changes is affected by the intensity and proximity of the convective vortex, and the availability and mobility of small particles at the surface. The probability of observing an albedo change increases with the magnitude of the pressure drop (ΔP): changes were detected in 3.5%, 43%, and 100% of the dust devils with ΔP < 2.5 Pa, ΔP > 2.5 Pa and ΔP > 4.5 Pa, respectively. Albedo changes were associated with peak wind speeds above 15 m·s−1. We discuss dust removal estimates, the observed surface temperature changes coincident with albedo changes, and implications for solar‐powered missions. These results show synergies between multiple instruments (MEDA, Mastcam‐Z, Navcam, and the Supercam microphone) that improve our understanding of aeolian processes on Mars. Small particles at the surface of Mars are lifted and transported through interactions with the atmosphere, modifying the fraction of solar radiation reflected by the surface (albedo). We analyzed the first albedo measurements acquired at 1 Hz and other environmental variables measured at Jezero crater, concluding that albedo changes are caused by dust devils under typical conditions and by a dust storm. The darkening of the surface induced by the storm is around 10 times larger than that caused in the absence of a storm by dust devils. Surface images indicate that this darkening is caused by dust removal. Only a fraction of the dust devils cause an albedo change, depending on their intensity, size and trajectory, and on the features of the small particles at the surface. The combined analysis of environmental variables, images and microphone recordings acquired by the Mars 2020 mission improve our understanding of the processes involved in the lifting and transport of small particles. We identify surface albedo changes using Mars 2020 first‐of‐their‐kind high‐cadence in situ measurements of reflected solar radiationThe most remarkable albedo changes observed within seconds outside dust storm conditions were caused by dust devilsA multi‐instrument analysis showed that the dust storm reduced surface albedo by more than 15%, primarily caused by dust removal We identify surface albedo changes using Mars 2020 first‐of‐their‐kind high‐cadence in situ measurements of reflected solar radiation The most remarkable albedo changes observed within seconds outside dust storm conditions were caused by dust devils A multi‐instrument analysis showed that the dust storm reduced surface albedo by more than 15%, primarily caused by dust removal