The dynamics of the ionosphere of Mars at large solar zenith angles

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA095iA05p06263· OSTI ID:5133645

McCormick, P T ^[1]; Whitten, R C ^[2]

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1. Santa Clara Univ., CA (United States)
2. NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (United States)

A model of the ion chemistry and dynamics of the ionosphere of Mars at large solar zenith angles has been constructed using techniques previously developed for Venus. It is found that a substantial nighttime ionosphere should ocur even when the ionopause height is as low as 250 km. At low altitudes the interaction of the plasma flow with the neutral atmosphere appears to result in considerable noise in the flow patterns. Transterminator plasma velocities are smaller than for Venus, although they may exceed the local sonic speed. The effect of a nocturnal source fo suprathermal electrons is also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5133645
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 95:A5; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
DATA
DIMENSIONS
DYNAMICS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HEIGHT
INFORMATION
LEPTONS
MARS PLANET
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA DRIFT
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
VIKING SPACE PROBES