A case study on the impact of interplanetary coronal mass ejection on the Martian O(1S) 557.7 nm dayglow emission using ExoMars TGO/NOMAD-UVIS observations: First Results

TL;DR

This study investigates how interplanetary coronal mass ejections influence the Martian O(1S) 557.7 nm dayglow emission, revealing altitude-dependent brightness changes linked to solar activity using ExoMars TGO and MAVEN data.

Contribution

First analysis of ICME effects on Martian dayglow emissions, demonstrating altitude-specific brightness enhancements linked to solar transient events.

Findings

Primary emission peak remains unaffected during ICME

Secondary and upper altitude emissions show brightness enhancement

Enhancements linked to increased solar electrons and X-ray fluxes

Abstract

We report, for the first time, the impact of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) on the recently discovered O($^1$S) 557.7 nm dayglow emission in the Martian atmosphere. Although there are only a few studies on the seasonal variation are available in the literature, the impact of ICME on 557.7 nm dayglow emission has not been investigated so far. Using the instruments aboard ExoMars-TGO and MAVEN spacecrafts, we show that the primary emission peak (75-80 km) remains unaffected during the ICME event compared to quiet-times. However, a noticeable enhancement has been observed in the brightness of secondary emission peak (110-120 km) and the upper altitude region (140-180 km). The enhancement is attributed to the increased solar electrons and X-ray fluxes, augmenting the electron-impact process and causing the enhancement in the brightness. These analyses have an implication to comprehend the role of intense solar transients like ICME on the Martian dayglow emissions.