Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radar

Abstract In the data of the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding on board the European Space Agency (ESA) mission Mars Express (MEX), a distinctive type of signals (called the “epsilon signature”), which is similar to that previously detected during radio sounding of the terres...

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Main Authors: Zhenfei Zhang, Roberto Orosei, Qian Huang, Jie Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-07-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069591
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author Zhenfei Zhang
Roberto Orosei
Qian Huang
Jie Zhang
author_facet Zhenfei Zhang
Roberto Orosei
Qian Huang
Jie Zhang
author_sort Zhenfei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In the data of the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding on board the European Space Agency (ESA) mission Mars Express (MEX), a distinctive type of signals (called the “epsilon signature”), which is similar to that previously detected during radio sounding of the terrestrial F region ionosphere, is found. The signature is interpreted to originate from multiple reflections of electromagnetic waves propagating along sounder pulse‐created, crustal magnetic field‐aligned plasma bubbles (waveguides). The signatures have a low (below 0.5%) occurrence rate and apparent cutoff frequencies 3–5 times higher than the theoretical one for an ordinary mode wave. These properties are explained by the influence of the perpendicular ionospheric plasma density gradient and the sounder pulse frequency on the formation of waveguides.
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-2c94210d61844102be53a74d4bcd74f02025-08-20T03:10:28ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072016-07-0143147381738810.1002/2016GL069591Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radarZhenfei Zhang0Roberto Orosei1Qian Huang2Jie Zhang3Institute of Mathematical Geology and Remote Sensing China University of Geosciences Wuhan ChinaIstituto di Radioastronomia Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Via Piero Gobetti Bologna ItalyInstitute of Planetary Science China University of Geosciences Wuhan ChinaInstitute of Mathematical Geology and Remote Sensing China University of Geosciences Wuhan ChinaAbstract In the data of the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding on board the European Space Agency (ESA) mission Mars Express (MEX), a distinctive type of signals (called the “epsilon signature”), which is similar to that previously detected during radio sounding of the terrestrial F region ionosphere, is found. The signature is interpreted to originate from multiple reflections of electromagnetic waves propagating along sounder pulse‐created, crustal magnetic field‐aligned plasma bubbles (waveguides). The signatures have a low (below 0.5%) occurrence rate and apparent cutoff frequencies 3–5 times higher than the theoretical one for an ordinary mode wave. These properties are explained by the influence of the perpendicular ionospheric plasma density gradient and the sounder pulse frequency on the formation of waveguides.https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069591MarsionosphereMARSISducted wave
spellingShingle Zhenfei Zhang
Roberto Orosei
Qian Huang
Jie Zhang
Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radar
Geophysical Research Letters
Mars
ionosphere
MARSIS
ducted wave
title Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radar
title_full Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radar
title_fullStr Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radar
title_full_unstemmed Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radar
title_short Ducted electromagnetic waves in the Martian ionosphere detected by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding radar
title_sort ducted electromagnetic waves in the martian ionosphere detected by the mars advanced radar for subsurface and ionosphere sounding radar
topic Mars
ionosphere
MARSIS
ducted wave
url https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069591
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