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Praveen Kumar Kuttanpillai

Publications and source records attributed to Praveen Kumar Kuttanpillai.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of Incoming Solar Particle Radiations on The Exosphere of Mars

Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyzer (MENCA) of Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) measures the \emph{in-situ} neutral upper atmospheric constituents of Mars. Martian lower atmosphere predominated by the presence of $CO_2$ which photo-dissociates into atomic oxygen ($O$) in higher altitudes much near the exobase. Atomic $O$ plays a significant role in invoking the stronger presence of $O_2^+$ in the Martian ionosphere. Primary photo-dissociative species $CO_{2}$, crossover their neutral abundance with atomic $O$ in the collisionless heterogenous atmosphere with varying local solar conditions. Initial measurements from Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS) instrument on Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) estimated these crossover/transition altitudes wavering between $\approx$225 km to 240 km during solar maximum conditions with peak solar illuminations. MENCA sampled the neutral atmospheric species, below the exobase up to the periareion of $\approx$160 km, under low solar activity conditions during June 2018. Observations of partial pressures of $CO_2$ and $O$ in subsequent orbits reveals that solar inputs are crucial in quantifying these crossing points, where $[O]/[CO_2]$ remain unity, alongside the influences from temperature. The multi-spacecraft measurements of the direct influences of solar wind charged particle fluxes and velocity on the daily variation of neutral thermospheric/exospheric compositions were observed on the local evening hours of Mars and presented. It marks the first-ever direct \emph{in-situ} observation of interaction between the energetic solar particle radiations on Martian exospheric compositions, potentially contributing to the steady escape and differing population of atomic $[O]$ in the exosphere.

physics.space-ph↗

Study of Exospheric Neutral Composition of Mars observed from Indian Mars Orbiter Mission

The raw exospheric composition data of Mars for the period September 2014 to October 2015 has been retrieved and analysed using the observations carried out by Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA) payload on-board the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) launched by India on 5 November 2013. The state parameters viz. latitude, longitude, altitude and solar zenith angle coverage of the partial pressures of different exospheric constituents are determined and assigned to enrich the usefulness of data with orbit-wise assimilation particularly between 250 and 500 km altitude range of main interest. Apart from getting the results on mean individual orbits partial pressure profiles during the northern winter, the variations of total as well as partial pressures are also studied with respect to the distribution of major atmospheric constituents and their dependence on solar activity. In particular, CO2 and O variations are considered together for any differential effects due to photo-dissociation and photo-ionisation. The results on gradual reduction in densities due to the decreasing daily mean sunspot numbers and strong response of CO2 and O pressures to solar energetic particle events like that of 24 December 2014 following a solar flare were discussed in this paper.

physics.space-ph↗