Dr James Holmes

Independent Research Fellow

james.holmes@open.ac.uk

Biography

Professional biography

2024 - present: Independent Research Fellow

Continuing to investigate coupled dynamical, physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere of Mars and expanding to Venus also. Using a combination of computer modelling and satellite observations to conduct research. Also dabbling in the sue of machine learning for forecasting weather on Mars, something that will become critical when humans visit Mars in the near future.

2021 - 2024: UK Space Agency Aurora Research Fellow

Investigating interactions between the global dust and water cycles on Mars through an analysis of orbiter observations from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) (among others) in preparation for the upcoming ExoMars Rover mission. This research will combine TGO observations with an internationally recognised Mars Global Circulation Model (GCM) utilising proven data assimilation techniques to give new insights into the martian dust and water cycles and providing a longer-term framework to support future Mars exploration missions such as Mars Sample Return.

2017 - 2021: Post Doctoral Research Associate

Working on a project to characterise the martian water cycle by assimilating ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter data

2015 - 2017: Post Doctoral Research Associate

Working on the data assimilation work package of the Horizon 2020 UPWARDS: Understanding Planet Mars project.

2011-2015: PhD Research Student

Focusing on trace gas assimilation in the Martian atmosphere

Research interests

I am an Independent Research Fellow who primarily investigates atmospheric chemistry cycles on Mars and Venus using a combination of observations and computer modelling. My research is helping to investigate links between the atmospheric chemistry cycles and the main drivers of atmospheric processes, such as the dust and water cycles, by combining computer models with the latest observations from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission alongside multiple other spacecraft missions.

Atmospheric chemistry cycles on Mars and Venus
Escape of water from the atmosphere of Mars
Global Circulation Modelling
Mesoscale Modelling
Data assimilation: combining retrievals with computer models
Forecasting of martian weather
Human exploration of Mars

Projects

I-MIM Mars imager development

SWIMALONG CCN

I-MIM Imager Development

Isotopic variations in the martian atmosphere

Resolving the global underprediction of ozone through ExoMars TGO retrievals and data assimilation

TBA

Planetary Science at The Open University, 2023-26

A synergy of water and dust on Mars

This proposal seeks to answer fundamental questions about the interaction of the global dust and water cycles on Mars through an analysis of orbiter observations from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) (among others) in preparation for the upcoming ExoMars Rover mission. This research will combine TGO observations with an internationally recognised Mars Global Circulation Model (GCM) utilising proven data assimilation techniques to give new insights into the martian dust and water cycles and providing a longer-term framework to support future Mars exploration missions such as Mars Sample Return. The specific aims of this proposal are: A1. To determine the spatial and temporal influence of smaller regional dust storms on the general circulation and transport of water vapour/ice and water isotope D/H ratios. A2. To quantify the loss of water and its variability over a combined 11 Mars years (containing two global dust storms) and determine the associated change in global water isotope D/H ratios. A3. To predict the dust conditions and vertical profile of atmospheric properties for the ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform (RSP) entry, descent and landing. A4. To build a framework for long-term, global-scale assimilation of key atmospheric variables to inform local scale weather determination, in support of future exploration missions

A synergy of water and dust on Mars (yr 2-3)