Other
Scientific paper
Jul 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000came.work...21b&link_type=abstract
Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration, p. 21
Other
Mars Atmosphere, Electrical Resistivity, Electric Fields, Atmospheric Electricity, Instrument Packages, Electric Field Strength, Equipotentials, Planetary Ionospheres, Ionospheric Conductivity
Scientific paper
The conditions which prevail in the atmospheres of most planets in the Solar System, in particular the telluric ones, are likely to give rise to their electrification. The resulting processes, which are of major importance for meteorology and climatology on Earth, may also be significant for atmospheric and surface processes on the other planets and specifically on Mars. With an average pressure between 5 and 10 mb, the atmosphere near the surface of Mars is comparable to the Earth's stratosphere at an altitude of 35 to 40 kilometers. The main difference lies in the composition, since the major constituent on Mars is the carbon dioxide CO2. Ionization is mainly due to cosmic rays and during daytime, photoionization by solar EUV and soft X-rays. In absence of actual data, most authors have assumed that the electric conductivity of the atmosphere at ground level is approx. 10-11 S/m, comparable to the values measured in the terrestrial stratosphere at an equivalent pressure, increasing with altitude at a rate defined by the atmospheric scale-height. Owing to its large conductivity, the lower ionosphere of Mars can be considered equipotential. On the surface of the planet the situation is different from the case of the Earth: due to the lack of liquid water, at least down to a depth possibly larger than about 1 km, the ground electric conductivity is certainly rather small, with values in the range 10-10 to 10-12 S/m quoted by most authors. If the free electron density varies, as indicated by models from less than 1 electron/cu cm at night to 102 electrons/cu cm during daytime, the situation may be complex depending on the ground conductivity with the Martian soil appearing with respect to the atmosphere as a conductor during night and as an insulator during daytime.
Berthelier Jean-Jacques
Grard Rejean
Laasko H.
Parrot Michel
No associations
LandOfFree
ARES, an Electric Field Experiment for NETLANDER does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with ARES, an Electric Field Experiment for NETLANDER, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and ARES, an Electric Field Experiment for NETLANDER will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1718174