P21A-2043
Comparison of MAVEN Topside Ionosphere Observations with MRO/SHARAD Total Electron Content Morphologies
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Clara Narvaez1, Michael Mendillo1, Dylan Herina1 and Bruce A Campbell2, (1)Boston University, Boston, MA, United States, (2)Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC, United States
Abstract:
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN Mission (MAVEN) “Deep-Dip” orbital campaign of April 17-22, 2015 provided in-situ observations of ionospheric patterns between the height of maximum electron density (hmax ~ 130km) and 400km. The Shallow Radar (SHARAD) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has observed ionospheric total electron content (TEC) from orbits at ~400km. Basic ionospheric theory predicts that about 2/3rds of TEC is above hmax. In this poster we compare the topside TEC from MAVEN with SHARAD’s TEC statistical pattern for the same solar flux and Solar Zenith Angle.
