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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Physics

Wright State University

Martian ionosphere

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Co2+ Dissociative Recombination: A Source Of Thermal And Nonthermal C On Mars, Jane L. Fox Aug 2004

Co2+ Dissociative Recombination: A Source Of Thermal And Nonthermal C On Mars, Jane L. Fox

Physics Faculty Publications

CO2 + dissociative recombination has been assumed in the past to proceed overwhelmingly by the channel that produces CO + O. Although the channel that leads to the products C + O2 is energetically possible, the significant rearrangement of bonds that is required has led to the belief that this channel contributes minimally. Seiersen et al. [2003] have recently measured the branching ratio for the latter channel, and they have reported a value of ∼9% of the total. We have constructed both low and high solar activity models of the Martian thermosphere, and we have tested the effect …


Effect Of H-2 On The Martian Ionosphere: Implications For Atmospheric Evolution, Jane L. Fox Jun 2003

Effect Of H-2 On The Martian Ionosphere: Implications For Atmospheric Evolution, Jane L. Fox

Physics Faculty Publications

Because H2 reacts efficiently with O+, CO2 +, CO+, and N2 +, the molecular hydrogen abundance assumed in models of the Martian ionosphere greatly affects the high altitude density profiles of these ions. We have found that models of the low solar activity Martian ionosphere exhibit much smaller O+ densities than the measured values if the adopted H2 abundance is of the order of 40 ppm, the value proposed in a 1998 model of the Martian atmosphere. For a model based on the recently measured H2 abundance of …