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UID:af8c325b42d3b97b8835825497409d2c
DTSTAMP:20261014T114528Z
SUMMARY:SPC Seminar – Space – Dr. Dikshita Meggi (Leicester)
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Dr. Dikshita Meggi (Leicester)\nTitle: Martian ionosph
 eric dynamics and the role of crustal magnetic fields\nAbstract: Mars\, wi
 thout a global dipole magnetic field\, has its atmosphere directly exposed
  to the solar wind. Their interactions with remnant crustal magnetic field
 s of varying strength and inclination\, mainly in the southern hemisphere\
 , further complicate ionospheric dynamics. We exploit observations from th
 e Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) on M
 ars Express. Using selected orbits over strong crustal fields and unmagnet
 ised regions spanning 12 years\, two-dimensional maps of ionospheric varia
 bility quantifying electron density deviations from Chapman-layer behaviou
 r are constructed.\nWe find that topside layers are mostly confined to reg
 ions where crustal fields have horizontal inclinations or undergo drastic 
 changes in orientation from vertical to horizontal.\nSpatio-temporal evolu
 tion of topside ionospheric features are then investigated using near-simu
 ltaneous observations during four MEX-MAVEN (Mars Express-Mars Atmosphere 
 and Volatile EvolutioN) conjunctions\, when both spacecraft trajectories n
 early overlap in time and space. The analysed conjunction events show tops
 ide ionospheric variability\, with topside layers varying in size and movi
 ng in space over 8-43 min\, variability observable only through multi-spac
 ecraft\, near-simultaneous observations. Another MEX-MAVEN conjunction in 
 the dayside ionosphere over strong crustal fields is also investigated\, w
 ith MEX observing localised small-scale dynamics on short timescales of at
  most 7 seconds and spatial scales of a few tens of kilometres. Analysis o
 f MAVEN magnetic field and plasma observations provides insight into the f
 ormation of this unique case with very patchy but intense ionization\, sug
 gesting that the internal structure of twisted crustal magnetic field line
 s may contribute to the observed ionospheric variability.\nFinally\, curre
 nt investigation focuses on MEX\, MAVEN and EMM (Emirates Mars Mission) co
 njunction events using near-simultaneous observations of the nightside ion
 osphere\, magnetotail and aurora to probe their coupling at Mars.
URL:https://www.imperial.ac.uk/events/214976/spc-seminar-space-dr-dikshita-
 meggi-leicester/
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261021T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261021T150000
LOCATION:741\, Blackett Building\, South Kensington Campus\, Imperial Colle
 ge London\, London\, SW7 2AZ\, United Kingdom
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