ScholarLens Back to search
2017•Journal of Geophysical Research Space PhysicsRequires access

Sources of Ionospheric Variability at Mars

Michael J. Mendillo, C. Narvaez, Marissa F. Vogt, Majd Mayyasi, J. M. Forbes, Marina I. Galand, Edward M. B. Thiemann, M. Benna, F. G. Eparvier, Phillip C. Chamberlin, Paul Robert Mahaffy, Laila Andersson

Open publisher page 56 citations

Abstract

Abstract During the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission's deep‐dip #2 campaign of 17–22 April 2015, spacecraft instruments observed all of the physical parameters needed to assess the photo‐chemical‐equilibrium (PCE) explanation for ionospheric variability at a fixed altitude (135 km) near the peak of the Martian ionosphere. MAVEN measurements of electron density, electron temperature, neutral CO2 density, and solar irradiance were collected during 28 orbits. When inserted into the PCE equation, the measurements of varying PCE drivers correlated with the observed electron density variations to within instrumental uncertainty levels. The dominant source of this positive correlation was the variability of CO2 densities associated with the longitudinal wave‐2 component of nonmigrating tides in the Martian thermosphere.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Abstract During the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission's deep‐dip #2 campaign of 17–22 April 2015, spacecraft instruments observed all of the physical parameters needed to assess the photo‐chemical‐equilibrium (PCE) explanation for ionospheric variability at a fixed altitude (135 km) near the peak of the Martian ionosphere. MAVEN measurements of electron density, electron temperature, neutral CO2 density, and solar irradiance were collected during 28 orbits. When inserted into the PCE equation, the measurements of varying PCE drivers correlated with the observed electron density variations to within instrumental uncertainty levels. The dominant source of this positive correlation was the variability of CO2 densities associated with the longitudinal wave‐2 component of nonmigrating tides in the Martian thermosphere.

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 56 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

Abstract During the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission's deep‐dip #2 campaign of 17–22 April 2015, spacecraft instruments observed all of the physical parameters needed to assess the photo‐chemical‐equilibrium (PCE) explanation for ionospheric variability at a fixed altitude (135 km) near the peak of the Martian ionosphere. MAVEN measurements of electron density, electron temperature, neutral CO2 density, and solar irradiance were collected during 28 orbits. When inserted into the PCE equation, the measurements of varying PCE drivers correlated with the observed electron density variations to within instrumental uncertainty levels. The dominant source of this positive correlation was the variability of CO2 densities associated with the longitudinal wave‐2 component of nonmigrating tides in the Martian thermosphere.

Key concepts: Martian, Atmosphere of Mars, Mars Exploration Program, Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Atmospheric sciences, Electron density, Atmosphere (unit)

Related papers

Related paper 1Related paper 2Related paper 3
Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
Sources of Ionospheric Variability at Mars — Research Paper | ScholarLens