The structure and variability of Mars upper atmosphere as seen in MAVEN/IUVS dayglow observations

Dayglow; IUVS; Mars; MAVEN; Atmospheric structure; Emission spectroscopy; Satellites; Solar energy; Heliocentric distances; Seasonal variability; Simultaneous observation; Volatile evolution; Upper atmosphere

Abstract :

[en] We report a comprehensive study of Mars dayglow observations focusing on upper atmospheric structure and seasonal variability. We analyzed 744 vertical brightness profiles comprised of ∼109,300 spectra obtained with the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) aboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) satellite. The dayglow emission spectra show features similar to previous UV measurements at Mars. We find a significant drop in thermospheric scale height and temperature between LS = 218° and LS = 337-352°, attributed primarily to the decrease in solar activity and increase in heliocentric distance. We report the detection of a second, low-altitude peak in the emission profile of OI 297.2 nm, confirmation of the prediction that the absorption of solar Lyman alpha emission is an important energy source there. The CO2+ UV doublet peak intensity is well correlated with simultaneous observations of solar 17-22 nm irradiance at Mars. © 2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Disciplines :

Space science, astronomy & astrophysics

Author, co-author :

Jain, S. K.; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado USA

Stewart, A. I. F.; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado USA

Schneider, N. M.; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado USA

Deighan, J.; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado USA

Stiepen, Arnaud ; Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP)

Evans, J. S.; Computational Physics, Inc. Springfield, Virginia USA

Stevens, M. H.; Space Science Division Naval Research Laboratory Washington, District of Columbia USA

Chaffin, M. S.; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado USA

Crismani, M.; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado USA

Mcclintock, W. E.; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado USA

More authors (8 more)

Language :

English

Title :

The structure and variability of Mars upper atmosphere as seen in MAVEN/IUVS dayglow observations

Publication date :

2015

Journal title :

Geophysical Research Letters

ISSN :

0094-8276

eISSN :

1944-8007

Publisher :

Blackwell Publishing

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 11 January 2016

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