Effects of solar X-ray flares in the E region ionosphere of Mars: First model results

We have used radio occultation data obtained from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) at high latitudes (65.3 degrees-65.6 degrees N, 69.3 degrees-69.6 degrees N and 76.4 degrees-77.5 degrees N) to study the effects of X-ray flares and CMEs on Total Electron Content (TEC) in the E region of the Martian ionosphere in response to solar events that occurred on 29 and 31 May 2003 and on 17 January and 13 May 2005. Modeling of flare induced solar X-ray fluxes, ion production rates, electron densities and TEC are carried out, in each case based on GOES data. The estimated TEC values are compared with the in situ MGS observations. It is found that solar flare caused enhancements in the TEC of Mars by a factor of similar to 5. Also, a 3D kinetic solar wind model (Hakamada-Akasofu-Fry Version 2/HAFv.2) is used to predict the arrivals of CME shocks at Mars associated with the flare event of May 2005. These predicted shock arrivals were associated with in situ enhancements in TEC by a factor of similar to 2.