2011
DOI: 10.1029/2010rs004450
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Attenuation of radio signals by the ionosphere of Mars: Theoretical development and application to MARSIS observations

Abstract: [1] We investigate the ionospheric conditions required to explain Mars Express Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding topside radar sounder observations of ionospheric attenuation in excess of 13 dB at 5 MHz during solar energetic particle events. We develop theoretical expressions for the attenuation caused by a layer of ionospheric plasma in cases of high, intermediate, and low radio frequency relative to the electron-neutral collision frequency at the ionospheric layer. We apply these re… Show more

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Cited by 33 publications
(41 citation statements)
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“…At Mars, the Mars Express Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) instrument has experienced sporadic blackouts (Withers, 2011) and recent modeling by Norman et al (2014) suggests that enhanced ionization due to SEP events is a plausible culprit. As we have shown that very large enhancements in the ion production rate within the atmosphere of Venus may occur during strong SEP events, this is an effect that should be considered for future missions to Venus, particularly those carrying low-frequency radar instruments.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…At Mars, the Mars Express Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) instrument has experienced sporadic blackouts (Withers, 2011) and recent modeling by Norman et al (2014) suggests that enhanced ionization due to SEP events is a plausible culprit. As we have shown that very large enhancements in the ion production rate within the atmosphere of Venus may occur during strong SEP events, this is an effect that should be considered for future missions to Venus, particularly those carrying low-frequency radar instruments.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The energetic inputs also have an impact on the planetary atmosphere evolution by modifying the escape rates and the chemistry of the upper atmosphere (Sheel et al, 2012;Ulusen et al, 2012). The SEP events observed at Mars (Falkenberg et al, 2011) are shown to affect the satellite activity, for example by creating blackout for radar observation of the Martian surface (Withers, 2011;Norman et al, 2014). Albeit rare, huge SEP events could have huge effects on the atmosphere in the long run, through enhancement of atmospheric escape -which will be studied in details by MAVEN-, and could be fatal to astronauts at the surface of the planet.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 98%
“…Schematic illustration of the main features and forcings associated with the ionosphere of Mars. Reproduced from Withers [2011]. Reprinted with permission.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This shift, if it occurs, would represent a fundamental change in the morphology of the ionosphere. On basic physical grounds, increased radio wave absorption is likely to occur on Mars as well during a solar flare, but this has not been detected to date [ Withers , 2011]. Generally similar behaviors are anticipated in other planetary ionospheres, especially that of Venus, which is highly analogous to Mars [ Chamberlain and Hunten , 1987; Luhmann et al , 1992; Fox , 2004b].…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%