Humidity sensors that function under extreme conditions are needed in experimental chambers as well as for humidity measurements on Mars. Such a sensor was already used in a chamber at the German Aerospace Center and is well characterized; however this sensor is no longer in production and has been replaced by a new generation, requiring verification of the new sensor under extreme conditions. The results show that the new sensor is suitable for measurements under Martian atmospheric conditions.

The 1-D column model has been used extensively in studying the Martian atmosphere. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of the column model to its initialization. The results of the model were compared with Curiosity rover measurements. The initial value of airborne dust and surface temperature had the greatest influence on the temperature prediction, while the initial atmospheric moisture content and the shape of the initial moisture profile modified the humidity prediction the most.

The Geology and Geophysics working group is one the largest within the German Society of Polar Research. Here, we present an overview of the development of major scientific German polar research programs and locations as well as important white papers from the last decades. This work is based on the contributions of members and institutions, including the Alfred Wegener Institute, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources and German Universities with polar research programs.