3D Visualization of Solar Disk: Mars Radiation Environment 2003-2008
Abstract
During 2002 and 2003, MARIE (Martian Radiation Environment Experiment) instrument onboard the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft provided some unique data from the Martian orbit. The orbit alignment of Mars- Sun-Earth provided an opportunity between 180° (August 2002) and 0° (October 2003). During this time, the MARIE data included the background GCR (Galactic Cosmic Rays) and several SPE (Solar Particle Events) enhanced radiation dose-rate measurements at Mars. Nearly 40 times increase in the quiet- time GCR dose-rate was noted from 25 mrad/day to nearly 1000 mrad/day at Mars. Understanding the active regions on the Sun that are likely to result into SPE on the far side will also be of concern for future deep space explorations beyond LEO. We present our approach in depicting SPE with 3D visualization of solar disks facing Mars and Earth. We present the assessment of SPE activity between 2003 and 2008 towards Mars along with an estimated dose-rate during an SPE at Mars along with heliosphere distribution.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008AGUFMSM11B1624S
- Keywords:
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- 2126 Heliosphere/interstellar medium interactions;
- 6060 Radiation and chemistry;
- 6225 Mars;
- 7847 Radiation processes;
- 7984 Space radiation environment