title: Nightglow in the upper atmosphere of Mars and implications for atmospheric transport.
abstract: We detected light emissions in the nightside martian atmosphere with the SPICAM (spectroscopy for the investigation of the characteristics of the atmosphere of Mars) ultraviolet (UV) spectrometer on board the Mars Express. The UV spectrum of this nightglow is composed of hydrogen Lyman alpha emission (121.6 nanometers) and the gamma and delta bands of nitric oxide (NO) (190 to 270 nanometers) produced when N and O atoms combine to produce the NO molecule. N and O atoms are produced by extreme UV photodissociation of O2, CO2, and N2 in the dayside upper atmosphere and transported to the night side. The NO emission is brightest in the winter south polar night because of continuous downward transport of air in this region at night during winter and because of freezing at ground level.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Aéronomie du CNRS/Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace (IPSL), BP.3, 91371, Verrières-le-Buisson, France. bertaux@aerov.jussieu.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Loup
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bertaux
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leblanc
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perrier
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quemerais
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Korablev
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dimarellis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reberac
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forget
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sandel
mesh_terms: D001272:Atmosphere; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D006859:Hydrogen; D018535:Mars; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen; D012621:Seasons; D018531:Spacecraft; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen