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Predictions of the effects of Mars's encounter with comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) upon metal species in its ionosphere
Author(s) -
Withers Paul
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl061481
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , ionosphere , mars exploration program , comet , meteoroid , astrobiology , atmospheric sciences , atmosphere of mars , environmental science , physics , geology , astronomy , meteorology , martian
The infall of dust from the coma of comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) and its subsequent ablation in the atmosphere of Mars has the potential to affect the abundances of metal species in the atmosphere and ionosphere. We develop relationships between properties of the dust population in the coma and densities of metal species in the atmosphere and ionosphere. These can be used to predict the abundances of metal species in the atmosphere and ionosphere during the encounter. Given postencounter observations of the atmosphere and ionosphere, they can also be used to infer relevant cometary properties. Although current predictions suggest that the influx of cometary dust will be comparable to the sporadic background, the higher entry speed involved, which leads to a greater production rate of ions during ablation, means that metal ion abundances may be enhanced during and after the encounter.