Flare X‐ray photochemistry of the E region ionosphere of Mars

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2016-07, Vol.121 (7), p.6870-6888
• Main Authors: Haider, S. A., Batista, I. S., Abdu, M.A., Santos, A. M., Shah, Siddhi Y., Thirupathaiah, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aeronomy; Computer simulation; Density; E region; E region ionosphere; Electron density; Electron density profiles; Flares; Flux; Ion density (concentration); Ionization; Ionosphere; ionosphere of Mars; Ionospheric electron content; Ionospheric electrons; Mars; Mars (planet); Mars Global Surveyor; Mars ionospheric electron density profiles; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Photochemistry; Photoelectrons; Photoionization; Planetary ionospheres; solar flare responses; Time dependence; Time series; X-rays
• ISSN: 2169-9380; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022435

Based on electron density profiles obtained from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) we report X‐ray flare responses in the E region ionosphere of Mars during six events that occurred on 28 March and 6 April 2001, 17 and 18 March and 21 April 2003, and 19 February 2005. We have developed a time‐dependent Analytical Yield Spectrum model to calculate a time series of photoionization rate, photoelectron impact ionization rate, photoelectron flux, ion density, electron density, and ionospheric electron content (IEC) of the E region for each flare day. The estimated production rate, flux, and densities increase by 1–2 orders of magnitude due to effect of these flares in the E region ionosphere of Mars. The estimated IEC are compared with the measured IEC. It is found that the normalized IEC of the simulated E layer increased by a factor of 5–10 at the flare time compared to a factor of 2 enhancements in the normalized IEC of the corresponding MGS profiles. Key Points Production and densities in Martian ionosphere Six new flare responses in the Martian ionosphere Modeling of X‐ray aeronomy of Mars