NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Viking 2 electron observations at MarsAn analysis of the electron mode sweeps made in Viking 2 above the ionosphere is presented. An observation of the electron energy spectrum over the range 0 to 78 eV was recorded in 1 s and observations were made at intervals of 4 or 8 s. The concentrations and temperatures were highly variable in the altitude range 14,000 to 9000 km. Evidence for two Maxwellian components were present in most of the records. The general trend of concentration and temperature for the predominant component was from 2/cu cm and 100,000 K at 15,600 km to 5/cu cm at 220,000 K and 900 km, in good agreement with the Mars 3 observations of Gringauz et al. (1974). The higher-temperature component was generally characterized by a temperature near 400,000 K and concentrations near 0.1/cu cm. The electron plasma pressures near 800 km were about a factor of 20 lower than those obtained from Viking 1, the difference being much greater than expected from the normal distribution around the stagnation point in the shocked solar wind.
Document ID
19920059747
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Johnson, Francis S.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Hanson, William B.
(University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 97
Issue: A5 M
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
92A42371
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-44-044-026
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available