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Withers et al. 2005
Withers, P., Mendillo, M., Rishbeth, H., Hinson, D.P. and Arkani-Hamed, J. (2005). Ionospheric characteristics above Martian crustal magnetic anomalies. Geophysical Research Letters 32: doi: 10.1029/2005GL023483. issn: 0094-8276.

We studied several thousand electron density profiles from the Mars Global Surveyor Radio Science experiment. Electron densities in some of these profiles change significantly over vertical distances as short as 1--2 km, often causing localized bite-outs. These anomalous profiles are preferentially located above crustal magnetic anomalies. Anomalous features and their association with strong magnetic fields are also seen in profiles from Mariner 9. The probability of a profile being anomalous depends on the orientation of the magnetic field, suggesting localized electrodynamic effects upon otherwise global photochemical ionospheric processes. On Mars, unlike most other planets, the magnetic field has a short characteristic lengthscale, so its effects on the ionosphere will vary over short horizontal distances. We discuss possible ionospheric dynamo processes and encourage additional ionospheric observations over regions of strong crustal magnetic field.

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Abstract

Keywords
Ionosphere, Ionosphere, Ionosphere/magnetosphere interactions, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Ionospheres, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Magnetic fields and magnetism, Planetary Sciences, Solar System Objects, Mars
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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