Spacecraft observations of the Martian ionosphere

Student: Basuvaraj Praveen Kumar
Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. František Němec, Ph.D.
Status: Assigned

Abstract:

The ionosphere, i.e., the upper ionized part of the atmosphere, is on the dayside formed primarily due to the incoming solar radiation. On the nightside, the impact ionization by precipitating energetic particles and plasma transport control the ionospheric formation. In case of Mars, which lacks a global magnetic field, the ionosphere and magnetic fields induced therein are crucial for the solar wind interaction with the planet.

The aim of the thesis is to use ionospheric measurements obtained by recent spacecraft missions (Mars Express, MAVEN) to study the variability of the Martian ionosphere and relevant controlling factors. This includes not only characterizing dependences of electron densities (and possibly also plasma composition), but also a focus on specific solar events and their effects on the Martian plasma environment. Understanding spatially localized anomalies above the regions with strong crustal magnetic fields is also of utmost interest. Modern methods of data processing, including machine learning algorithms, are envisaged to be used throughout the thesis.

Literature

1. D. A. Gurnett, A. Bhattacharjee: Introduction to Plasma Physics: With Space, Laboratory and Astrophysical Applications. Cambridge University Press, 2005.
2. M. G. Kivelson, C. T. Russell: Introduction to Space Physics. University Press, Cambridge, 1995.
3. G. K. Parks: Physics of Space Plasmas: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Westview Press, 2004.
4. Papers in scientific journals recommended by the thesis supervisor.