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Journal Articles Science Year : 2015

Discovery of diffuse aurora on Mars

Davin Larson
Robert J. Lillis
  • Function : Author
  • PersonId : 972816
Franck Lefèvre
Franck Montmessin

Abstract

Planetary auroras reveal the complex interplay between an atmosphere and the surrounding plasma environment. We report the discovery of low-altitude, diffuse auroras spanning much of Mars’ northern hemisphere, coincident with a solar energetic particle outburst. The Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph, a remote sensing instrument on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, detected auroral emission in virtually all nightside observations for ~5 days, spanning nearly all geographic longitudes. Emission extended down to ~60 kilometer (km) altitude (1 microbar), deeper than confirmed at any other planet. Solar energetic particles were observed up to 200 kilo­–electron volts; these particles are capable of penetrating down to the 60 km altitude. Given minimal magnetic fields over most of the planet, Mars is likely to exhibit auroras more globally than Earth.

Dates and versions

insu-01227468 , version 1 (11-11-2015)

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Nicholas M. Schneider, Justin I. Deighan, Sonal K. Jain, Arnaud Stiepen, A. Ian F. Stewart, et al.. Discovery of diffuse aurora on Mars. Science, 2015, 350 (6261), pp.aad0313. ⟨10.1126/science.aad0313⟩. ⟨insu-01227468⟩
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