Abstract:<p>We present the first long-term characterization of the lower ionosphere of Mars, a region previously inaccessible to orbital observations, based on an analysis of radar echo blackouts observed by MARSIS on Mars Express and SHARAD on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter from 2006 to 2017.&#160; A blackout occurs when the expected surface reflection is partly to fully attenuated for portions of an observation.&#160; Enhanced ionization at altitudes of 60 to 90 km, below the main ionos… Show more
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