First Observations from the ASPERA-3 ELS in the Mars Ionosphere
Abstract
The Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3) experiment is currently collecting data at Mars. ASPERA-3 determines the electron, ion, and neutral particle components of the plasma using four instruments: Electron Spectrometer (ELS), Ion Mass Analyzer (IMA), Neutral Particle Imager (NPI), and Neutral Particle Detector (NPD). The ELS instrument measures 128 logarithmically spaced samples of the electron spectrum between 1 eV and 20 keV every four seconds. Its 8% energy resolution allows a more detailed investigation of the plasma in the Martian environment than previous electron measurements. This paper presents the first results of ELS measurements in the ionosphere of Mars, including the first high-resolution measurement of the Martian photoelectrons. Spectral peaks are clearly seen where they have been predicted by models.
- Publication:
-
AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004AGUSMSA23B..02F
- Keywords:
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- 5435 Ionospheres (2459);
- 5440 Magnetic fields and magnetism;
- 5494 Instruments and techniques;
- 6225 Mars;
- 7823 Ionization processes