Tidal Effects on the Longitudinal Structures of the Martian Thermosphere and Topside Ionosphere Observed by MAVEN.

ABSTRACT: Longitudinal structures in the Martian thermosphere and topside ionosphere between 150 and 200 km altitudes are studied using in situ electron and neutral measurements from the NASA Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. Four time intervals are selected for comparison, during which MAVEN sampled similar local time (9.3-10.3 h) and latitude (near 20°S) regions but at different solar longitude positions (two near northern summer solstice, one each at northern vernal and autumnal equinoxes). Persistent and pronounced tidal oscillations characterize the ionosphere and thermosphere, whose longitudinal variations in density are generally in-phase with each other. Our analysis of simultaneous and collocated neutral and electron data provides direct observational evidence for ther

SUBMITTER: Fang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8011558 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature