Space Weather Impacts on the Structure and Dynamics of the Martian Upper Atmosphere

The composition of the upper atmosphere of Mars provides insights into the dynamics that drive escape of species into outer space. Data from the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer on board of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft will be used to investigate the variability of the Martian upper atmosphere during large space weather events. In particular, we aim at characterizing the dominant driver of topside ionospheric structure during solar flare events. The evolution of neutral, ion, and electron densities will be characterized pre-flare to post-flare during the dayside inbound portion of the spacecraft orbit. We will examine the flare effects on the behaviour and dynamics of the neutral, ionic species, and electrons. Finally, the influence of regions of strong crustal field on ion density variation during solar flare events will also be examined. Using MAVEN multi-instrument observations other space instrument like Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) We will collect data on a number of solar flare events that affected Mars during 20162020. This work is anticipated to improve the science community understanding of the Martian upper atmosphere response to solar flares and the effect of space weather in the depletion of the Martian atmosphere to the outer space. The PI has visited Boston University (BU) during summer 2018 and has ongoing research collaborations on MAVEN data.