Airglow and aurora in the atmospheres of Venus and MarsMeasurements and models of the luminosity that originates in the Martian and Venusian atmospheres, including dayglow, nightglow and aurora, are compared. Most of the emission features considered appear in the UV and visible regions of the spectrum and arise from electronic transitions of thermospheric species. Spatially and temporally variable intensities of the oxygen 1304 and 1356 A lines have been observed on the nightside of Venus and have been labeled 'auroral', that is, ascribed to electron precipitation. Only a future aeronomy mission to Mars could unequivocally determine whether such emissions are present on the nightside of Mars.
Document ID
19920067808
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Fox, J. L. (New York, State University Stony Brook, United States)