On possible observational evidence in electron density profiles of a magnetic field in the Martian ionosphere

1995 ◽  
Vol 100 (A3) ◽  
pp. 3721-3730 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Krymskii ◽  
T. Breus ◽  
E. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Observational Evidence ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Martian Ionosphere ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

A Sporadic Third Layer in the Ionosphere of Mars

Science ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 310 (5749) ◽  
pp. 837-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pätzold ◽  
S. Tellmann ◽  
B. Häusler ◽  
D. Hinson ◽  
R. Schaa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Charge Exchange ◽  
Layer Structure ◽  
Electron Densities ◽  
Ionospheric Layer ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
Radio Science ◽  
Martian Ionosphere ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

The daytime martian ionosphere has been observed as a two-layer structure with electron densities that peak at altitudes between about 110 and 130 kilometers. The Mars Express Orbiter Radio Science Experiment on the European Mars Express spacecraft observed, in 10 out of 120 electron density profiles, a third ionospheric layer at altitude ranges of 65 to 110 kilometers, where electron densities, on average, peaked at 0.8 × 1010 per cubic meter. Such a layer has been predicted to be permanent and continuous. Its origin has been attributed to ablation of meteors and charge exchange of magnesium and iron. Our observations imply that this layer is present sporadically and locally.

scholarly journals Solar wind modulation of the Martian ionosphere observed by Mars Global Surveyor

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2277-2281 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-S. Wang ◽  
E. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Neutral Atmosphere ◽  
Mars Global Surveyor ◽  
Ionospheric Electron Density ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Energetic Proton ◽  
Martian Ionosphere ◽  
Proton Precipitation ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

Abstract. Electron density profiles in the Martian ionosphere observed by the radio occultation experiment on board Mars Global Surveyor have been analyzed to determine if the densities are influenced by the solar wind. Evidence is presented that the altitude of the maximum ionospheric electron density shows a positive correlation to the energetic proton flux in the solar wind. The solar wind modulation of the Martian ionosphere can be attributed to heating of the neutral atmosphere by the solar wind energetic proton precipitation. The modulation is observed to be most prominent at high solar zenith angles. It is argued that this is consistent with the proposed modulation mechanism.

Mars’ ionopause characterization based on MAVEN and Mars Express observations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Sanchez-Cano ◽  
Clara Narvaez ◽  
Mark Lester ◽  
Michael Mendillo ◽  
Majd Mayyasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Thermal Pressure ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

<p>The ionopause is a tangential discontinuity in the ionospheric thermal plasma density profile that marks the upper boundary of the ionosphere for unmagnetized planets. Since only Venus and Mars have no global “dipole” magnetic fields, ionopauses are unique to those planets. For Venus, the ionopause formation is well characterized because the thermal pressure of the ionosphere is usually larger than the solar wind dynamic pressure. For Mars, however, the maximum thermal pressure of the ionosphere is usually insufficient to balance the total pressure in the overlying magnetic pileup boundary. Therefore, the Martian ionopause is not always formed, and when it does, it is highly structured and is located at different altitudes. In this study, we characterise the Martian ionopause formation from the point of view of the electron density and electron temperature, as well as the thermal, magnetic and dynamic pressures. The objective is to investigate under which circumstances the Martian ionopause is formed, both over and far from crustal magnetic fields, and compare to the Venus’ case. We use several multi-plasma and magnetic field in-situ observations from the three deep dip campaigns of the MAVEN mission that occurred on the dayside of Mars (near subsolar point), as well as in-situ solar wind plasma observations from the Mars Express mission. We find that that 36% of the electron density profiles over strong crustal magnetic field regions had an ionopause event in contrast to the 54% of electron density profiles far from strong crustal magnetic field regions. We also find that the topside ionosphere is typically magnetized at mostly all altitudes. The ionopause, if formed, occurs where the total ionospheric pressure (magnetic+thermal) equals the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure.</p>

Electron density profiles above the F-layer

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1581-1586
Author(s):  
Michael Anastassiadis ◽  
Georges Moraitis ◽  
Dimitris Matsoukas
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

scholarly journals Ionospheric assimilation techniques for ARGOS Low-Resolution Airglow and Aurora Spectrograph (LORAAS) tomographically reconstructed equatorial electron density profiles

Radio Science ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Sojka ◽  
J. V. Eccles ◽  
R. W. Schunk ◽  
S. McDonald ◽  
S. Thonnard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Low Resolution ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Electron Density Profiles
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