Mahajan, K. K. and Lodhi, Neelesh K. and Singh, Sachchidanand (2009) Ionospheric effects of solar flares at Mars. Geophysical Research Letters , 36. L15207-1-L15207-5. ISSN 0094-8276

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Abstract

From an analysis of electron density profiles recorded aboard Mars Global Surveyor, we report observations of some new and aeronomically important solar flare effects in the ionosphere of Mars. We find that all flares result in the formation of a well defined E layer peak, not always seen on other days. Further, while majority of flares result in elevated electron densities in the E region alone, some flares affect both the E and F1 layers. These altitude - related effects can provide vital information on the relative enhancement of photon fluxes in the various wavelength bands during solar flares. By using the unit optical depth values at Mars from Fox (2004) and the XUV irradiance model of Meier et al. (2002) for the Bastille Day solar flare, we infer that the well defined E peaks could result from enhancement of photon fluxes in the 10–13 nm spectral band. The extension of effect to the F1 layer is due to hardening of the 26–91 nm spectral band, as supported by Solar EUV Monitor measurements on Solar Heliospheric Observatory.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to M/s American Geophysical Union.
Subjects:	Geology
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Ms Neetu Chandra
Date Deposited:	07 Sep 2012 12:23
Last Modified:	07 Sep 2012 12:23
URI:	http://npl.csircentral.net/id/eprint/548

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