MAVEN Observations of Solar Flare Effects in the Upper Atmosphere of Mars

Abstract:

Solar flare effects are important aspects of space weather and upper atmospheric change at Mars. Solar flares influence the composition and density of the thermosphere and ionosphere, as well as volatile escape rates. Since the arrival of the MAVEN spacecraft at Mars in 2014, the NGIMS instrument has observed the effects of several solar flares in these upper atmospheric regions, allowing neutral and ion species to be simultaneously measured during these events. By viewing the data at both fixed altitudes and fixed total densities, we investigate the thermal and chemical processes responsible for these flare-produced changes. The work presented is a part of our examination of the relationship between thermosphere and ionosphere behavior during solar flare events. Here, we focus on comparing atmospheric effects of the X-class solar flare on 10 September 2017 in particular. These analyses will provide a more comprehensive view of the manner in which the upper atmosphere responds to space weather, which is relevant to understanding the effects of the greater solar activity in the Sun's early history.