Ionospheric effects of solar flares at Mars

Mahajan, K. K. ; Lodhi, N. K. ; Singh, S. (2009) Ionospheric effects of solar flares at Mars Geophysical Research Letters, 36 . L15207-L15207. ISSN 0094-8276

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Official URL: http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2009/2009GL039454...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2009GL039454

Abstract

From an analysis of electron density profiles recorded aboard Mars Global Surveyor, we report observations of some new and aeronomically important solar flare effects in the ionosphere of Mars. We find that all flares result in the formation of a well defined E layer peak, not always seen on other days. Further, while majority of flares result in elevated electron densities in the E region alone, some flares affect both the E and F1 layers. These altitude - related effects can provide vital information on the relative enhancement of photon fluxes in the various wavelength bands during solar flares. By using the unit optical depth values at Mars from Fox (2004) and the XUV irradiance model of Meier et al. (2002) for the Bastille Day solar flare, we infer that the well defined E peaks could result from enhancement of photon fluxes in the 10-13 nm spectral band. The extension of effect to the F1 layer is due to hardening of the 26-91 nm spectral band, as supported by Solar EUV Monitor measurements on Solar Heliospheric Observatory.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to American Geophysical Union.
ID Code:75211
Deposited On:22 Dec 2011 03:36
Last Modified:22 Dec 2011 03:36

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