EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Leblanc et al. 2006
Leblanc, F., Witasse, O., Winningham, J., Brain, D., Lilensten, J., Blelly, P.-L., Frahm, R.A., Halekas, J.S. and Bertaux, J.L. (2006). Origins of the Martian aurora observed by Spectroscopy for Investigation of Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Mars (SPICAM) on board Mars Express. Journal of Geophysical Research 111: doi: 10.1029/2006JA011763. issn: 0148-0227.

On the 11 August 2004, the UV spectrograph Spectroscopy for Investigation of Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Mars (SPICAM) on board Mars Express made the first observation of auroral-type emission on the Martian nightside. In this paper, we describe the results of a new analysis of the observed emission owing to a better calibration of SPICAM UV channel and the use of all spectral information obtained during this observation. Several possibilities for the origin of this emission are discussed. We discussed, in particular, the possible exact geometry of the observation and the possible origins of the Martian aurorae. The emissions measured by SPICAM ultraviolet spectrometer have most probably been produced by electrons with an energy distribution peaking at few tens of eV rather than by electron distributions peaking above 100 eV.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Airglow and aurora, Planetary Sciences, Solar System Objects, Mars, Planetary Sciences, Comets and Small Bodies, Interactions with solar wind plasma and fields, Planetary Sciences, Fluid Planets, Atmospheres (0343, 1060), Planetary Sciences, Fluid Planets, Magnetospheres
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit