Universität zu Köln

Withers, Paul, Fillingim, M. O., Lillis, R. J., Haeusler, B., Hinson, D. P., Tyler, G. L., Paetzold, M., Peter, K., Tellmann, S. and Witasse, O. (2012). Observations of the nightside ionosphere of Mars by the Mars Express Radio Science Experiment (MaRS). J. Geophys. Res-Space Phys., 117. WASHINGTON: AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION. ISSN 0148-0227

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Abstract

The vertical structure of the nightside ionosphere of Mars and its dependence on solar zenith angle are currently poorly determined, as is the importance of two key sources of nightside plasma, electron precipitation and transport of dayside plasma. We examined 37 electron density profiles of the ionosphere of Mars at solar zenith angles of 101 degrees-123 degrees obtained by the Mars Express Radio Science Experiment (MaRS) between 18 August and 1 October 2005. In general, solar activity was low during this period, although several solar energetic particle events did occur. The results show that (1) trends in peak electron density and altitude with solar zenith angle are consistent with transport of dayside plasma as an important plasma source up to 115 degrees, but not higher; (2) peak altitudes of around 150 km observed at larger (>115 degrees) solar zenith angles are consistent with simulated plasma production by electron precipitation; and (3) peak altitudes observed during solar energetic particle events are at 90 km, consistent with accepted models. Solar energetic particle events can be the main source of nightside plasma. These results challenge current models of the nightside ionosphere, including their implications for plasma sources. The total electron content is correlated with peak electron density, requiring explanation. Due to the geographical distribution of this data set (latitudes poleward of 38 degrees N), we do not explore the influence of crustal field strength and direction on the nightside ionosphere. Citation: Withers, P., M. O. Fillingim, R. J. Lillis, B. H usler, D. P. Hinson, G. L. Tyler, M. P tzold, K. Peter, S. Tellmann, and O. Witasse (2012), Observations of the nightside ionosphere of Mars by the Mars Express Radio Science Experiment (MaRS), J. Geophys. Res., 117, A12307, doi: 10.1029/2012JA018185.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Withers, Paul UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Fillingim, M. O. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Lillis, R. J. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Haeusler, B. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Hinson, D. P. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Tyler, G. L. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Paetzold, M. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Peter, K. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Tellmann, S. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Witasse, O. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-476724
DOI:	10.1029/2012JA018185
Journal or Publication Title:	J. Geophys. Res-Space Phys.
Volume:	117
Date:	2012
Publisher:	AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
Place of Publication:	WASHINGTON
ISSN:	0148-0227
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language OCCULTATION MEASUREMENTS; MARTIAN IONOSPHERE; MAGNETIC-FIELD; SOLAR CONTROL; ATMOSPHERE; VENUS; TOPOGRAPHY; MARINER-9; EARTH; IONS Multiple languages Astronomy & Astrophysics Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/47672