Carbon dioxide electron cooling rates in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus

L. Campbell, M. J. Brunger, T. N. Rescigno

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    17 Citations (Scopus)
    1 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    The cooling of electrons in collisions with carbon dioxide in the atmospheres of Venus and Mars is investigated. Calculations are performed with both previously accepted electron energy transfer rates and with new ones determined using more recent theoretical and experimental cross sections for electron impact on CO2. Emulation of a previous model for Venus confirms the validity of the current model and shows that use of the updated cross sections leads to cooling rates that are lower by one third. Application of the same model to the atmosphere of Mars gives more than double the previous cooling rates at altitudes where the electron temperature is very low.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article numberE08008
    Number of pages7
    JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Planets
    Volume113
    Issue numberE8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2008

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Carbon dioxide electron cooling rates in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this