Effects of the August , 2018 CME on Mars Ionosphere

The ionosphere, a natural plasma, plays a significant role in planetary satellite and communication systems and is affected by space weather events. Strong solar activities have sudden and long-term effects on the ionosphere. Ionospheric disturbances caused by these activities are considered to be one of the biggest sources of errors in satellite navigation systems and satellite communications. Both the ionosphere and magnetosphere of Mars and Earth are easily influenced by space weather conditions. Solar winds and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are among the major events influencing space weather. The ionosphere, which is highly sensitive to the effects of space weather, is much thinner and patchier on Mars compared to Earth. The rapid and intense increase in Mars missions in recent years has made today’s research more critical for future missions. In our study, we selected an August 2018 CME and examined its effects on Mars's ionosphere using the instruments on the MAVEN satellite. In addition to the SWEA, SWIA, STATIC values from the MAVEN satellite data, the height change of the relevant solar wind in the Martian ionosphere will be investigated. Investigating ionospheric disturbances with satellites like MAVEN is essential for analyzing the much thinner Martian ionosphere compared to Earth's and contributing to future Mars missions. Understanding space weather is crucial for tracking the evolution of both Earth's and the Red Planet's ionospheric structures and the long-term impact of solar flares on planetary magnetospheres.