CONTROL ID: 1487856
TITLE: Comparisons between the ionospheres of Venus and Mars
ABSTRACT BODY: The ionospheres of Venus and Mars are remarkably similar in many ways. The V2 layer at Venus and M2 layer at Mars are produced when extreme ultraviolet solar photons ionize atmospheric CO2. Peak ionospheric densities occur in these layers. The V1 layer at Venus and M1 layer at Mars are produced by deeper penetrating solar soft X-rays and subsequent electron collision ionization. Here we compare the properties of these analogous layers using radio occultation data from the Venus Express spacecraft and the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. We compare how the peak altitudes and peak densities of each layer depend on solar zenith angle. We also compare how the peak densities of each layer vary with solar flux. We report the results of our analysis and discuss the implications of our findings with regard to terrestrial planet ionospheres.

CURRENT SECTION/FOCUS GROUP: SPA-Aeronomy
CURRENT SESSION: SA012. Solar System Aeronomy: Ionospheres, Thermospheres, Auroras, and Airglow
INDEX TERMS: [6225] PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Mars, [5435] PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS / Ionospheres.
AUTHORS/INSTITUTIONS: Z.R. Girazian, A. Tarrh, K. Fallows, P. Withers, Astronomy, Boston University, Boston, MA;
B. Haeusler, , Bundeswehr University Munich, Munich, GERMANY;
M. Paetzold, S. Tellmann, , University of Cologne, Cologne, GERMANY;
SPONSOR NAME: Zachary Girazian
CONTACT (E-MAIL ONLY): zrjg@bu.edu
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