Assessing the Relationship Between Extreme Space Weather, Magnetospheric Disturbances, and Proton Aurora Activity at Mars

This investigation assesses the impact of extreme space weather on Martian proton aurora activity in order to identify correlations. Proton aurora are the most commonly observed type of aurora at Mars (Hughes et al., 2019). Martian Proton aurora are expected to form on the planet's dayside via electron stripping and charge exchange processes with the neutral hydrogen corona and CO2 atmosphere. Using data from the Imaging UltraViolet Spectrograph (IUVS) onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft, a previous statistical study of Martian proton aurora by Hughes et al. (2019) found that the primary factors influencing proton aurora are solar zenith angle (SZA) and Mars season, with the highest occurrence rates observed at low SZAs on the Mars dayside, and the highest intensities, emission enhancements, peak altitudes, and occurrence rates (nearing 100%) observed around southern summer solstice. Recent studies have also begun to consider the effects of magnetic fields and solar activity on Martian proton aurora (e.g., Hughes et al., 2021, Chaffin et al., 2022, Yun et al., 2022). A study by Gruesbeck et al. (2021) utilized observations from MAVEN's Magnetometer to create a generalized "Magnetospheric Disturbance Index" (MDI), which quantifies the impact of extreme solar events on the Martian space environment.

The extensive statistical surveys available from MAVEN analyses of Mars proton aurora and MDI events provide an opportunity to assess the relationship between intense solar activity and the occurrence/variability of proton aurora at Mars. Herein, we undertake a comparative study evaluating correlations between Martian proton aurora and notable MDI events (i.e., periods of magnetospheric disturbance) caused by solar activity interacting with Mars. We evaluate connections between magnetospheric disturbances during corresponding proton aurora events, assessing the effects of an enhanced MDI on proton aurora activity, variability, and occurrence frequency. We also consider possible correlations between proton aurora activity and different types of solar events (e.g., SIRs, ICMEs, etc.). The results of this study enhance our understanding of the interconnectedness between space weather and how it drives magnetospheric disturbances while generating auroral activity at Mars.