Welcome to the 'Response of the Martian
Ionosphere/Thermosphere to the Solar Radiation, Solar Wind and Crustal
Magnetic Fields' team
Abstract
The data obtained as a result of the radio science experiments and
MAG/ER experiment onboard Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) are analyzed. The
duration of the time period of the radio science experiment is long
enough to facilitate the studies of the dynamic response of the
ionosphere/thermosphere at Mars to the solar radiation and solar wind
variations. The characteristics of the solar radiation and solar
wind near Mars have not usually been measured in the periods of the
radio science experiments and the experiments with
accelerometers. Therefore, the solar wind data and radiation have
to be derived from the data obtained at the satellites located far away
from Mars (for instance, ACE, WIND, GOESs and others). The derivation
procedures, which have to be applied, must be developed and verified.
The variability of the Martian ionosphere/thermosphere connected with
the SZA, local time and E10.7 (or F10.7) index is initially
studied. The seasonal variations and the response of the
ionosphere/thermosphere to the solar wind and the crustal magnetic
fields can be studied when the effects of the SZA, local time and E10.7
(or F10.7) index are deducted from the original data and the residual
variations are compared with the data of the MAG/ER experiment with the
magnetometer. The data obtained by the accelerometers
onboard MGS and Odyssey are used to study the global characteristics of
the Martian thermosphere and the response of the thermosphere to the
crustal magnetic fields. The accelerometer data are also used as a
reference for the analysis of the radio science data. When the
experimental data regarding the response of the ionosphere/thermosphere
at Mars to the solar radiation, solar wind and crustal magnetic fields
are analyzed, the results of the analysis are compared with the
predictions of the models of the thermosphere and ionosphere at Mars.
Introduction by A. Krymskii
Second Meeting 20 - 24 March 2006
'RESTORATION OF THE MARSIS SIGNAL FOR
SUBSURFACE SOUNDING' presentation by N.A. Armand
'Results from the Mars Express
Active Ionospheric Sounder' presentation by D. D. Morgan
