Mars nightside electron impact process frequency empirical model

With the aim of improving global simulations of the Martian ionosphere, we present an empirical model of 137 electron impact processes---including ionization, dissociation, and excitation---on the nightside of Mars, based on MAVEN in situ data collected between 2014 and December 2019., , , # Mars nightside electron impact process frequency empirical model

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pc866t1wm](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pc866t1wm)

The frequencies of 137 different electron impact processes in the Martian nightside ionosphere---including ionization, dissociation, and excitation---are modeled separately. Species considered are: CO_2, N_2, Ar, O, and CO. Model parameters are: magnetic field strength, magnetic elevation angle, magnetic topology, solar wind pressure, and altitude. Characterization of the degradation of electron precipitation as the altitude decreases and atmospheric density increases has been calculated using a weighted number density of neutrals as its basis, and used to adjust frequencies. This calculation is explained in more detail in a manuscript currently in prep. Magnetic topology types are described in Xu et al. 2019, though here \"night closed\" and \"night void\" topologies are combined. Topology type codes are: 0-undefined, 1-day closed, 2-cross ...,