Benna, M, Mahaffy, PR, Grebowsky, JM et al. (3 more authors) (2015) Metallic ions in the upper atmosphere of Mars from the passage of comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring). Geophysical Research Letters, 42 (12). 4670 - 4675. ISSN 0094-8276
Abstract
We report the first in situ detection of metal ions in the upper atmosphere of Mars resulting from the ablation of dust particles from comet Siding Spring. This detection was carried out by the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission. Metal ions of Na, Mg, Al, K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, and possibly of Si, and Ca, were identified in the ion spectra collected at altitudes of ~185 km. The measurements revealed that Na+ was the most abundant species, and that the remaining metals were depleted with respect to the CI (type 1 carbonaceous Chondrites) abundance of Na+. The temporal profile and abundance ratios of these metal ions suggest that the combined effects of dust composition, partial ablation, differential upward transport, and differences in the rates of formation and removal of these metal ions are responsible for the observed depletion.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015, American Geophysical Union. An edited version of this paper was published by AGU at DOI10.1002/2015GL064159. |
Keywords: | Comet Siding Spring; Mars; atmosphere; metal ion |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemistry (Leeds) > Physical Chemistry (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 14 Aug 2015 15:11 |
Last Modified: | 23 Jun 2016 01:43 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2015GL064159 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Geophysical Union |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/2015GL064159 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:88876 |