The Structure of the Martian Ionosphere

After multiple Martian years and almost one full solar cycle in orbit, measurements from the MAVEN mission can now allow us to study the ionosphere. The statistical structure of the Martian ionosphere is assessed and presented here as a step towards a new empirical Martian Ionospheric Model for electron density and temperature. The ionosphere is assessed based on the most likely density and temperature and the variability of these numbers determined by many different conditions. The data will be presented as function of season, altitude, neutral pressure, solar location, and aerographic latitude. The influence of solar activity through solar irradiation and solar wind conditions are also considered. Furthermore, the data is examined based on local magnetic field strength, light versus heavy ionosphere composition, and the uniformity of the ionosphere. This work will identify effective approaches to characterizing the Martian ionosphere and thereby identify when and where different drivers influence its structure.