Exploring the Martian Atmosphere’s “dynamo region” to better understand phenomena that impact radio communication at Earth

Glyn Collinson,Rob Pfaff,Mehdi Benna

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.f6c18bf6

Abstract

Exploring the Martian Atmosphere’s “dynamo region” to better understand phenomena that impact radio communication at Earth

Highlights

Layers; unpredictable and shortlived concentrations of plasma, which can bounce radio signals over the horizon for thousands of kilometers
We advocate that a key strategic knowledge gap at Mars should to “understand electrodynamic phenomena, including Sporadic-E layers and rifts, in the dynamo region of the Martian atmosphere”
We advocate for a future mission to the “Dynamo Region” of the Martian atmosphere (120km-250km altitude), capable of full quantitative analysis of electrodynamic processes such as Sporadic-E

Summary

Introduction

Layers; unpredictable and shortlived concentrations of plasma, which can bounce radio signals over the horizon for thousands of kilometers. “Sporadic-E Rifts”, while never observed at Earth, are a logical consequence of this Sporadic-E formation mechanism, whereby random wind shears should just as set up a system of diverging ion drifts, analogous to how rift valleys form when two tectonic plates diverge from a fault line.

Results

Conclusion