Energetic Neutral Atoms at Mars: Predicted Distributions Based on MAVEN Measurements | CU Experts

<p>Measurements of Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENAs) provide information about both the plasma and neutral components along the line-of-sight for any ENA instrument, though the individual influences of the plasma and neutral environments are convoluted due to the nature of the charge-exchange ENA generation process. We combine ion flux and magnetic field measurements from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) orbiter at Mars with models for the Martian exospheric components to predict the average observable 10 eV &#8211; 10 keV oxygen and hydrogen ENA distributions from virtual orbits in the near-Mars space environment. The predicted distributions are consistent with past ENA measurements, informing and constraining future ENA investigations of the neutral and plasma near-Mars space environments.</p>

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