Structural and Compositional Changes in the Upper Atmosphere Related to the PEDE‐2018 Dust Event on Mars as Observed by MAVEN NGIMS

Abstract

Abstract The onset of the planet encircling dust event (PEDE‐2018) started around 1 June 2018 as observed by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/Mars Color Imager, peaking around 7–10 July and persisting through mid‐October 2018. After the onset of the event, the upper atmosphere underwent significant changes in density and thermal structures. Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution‐Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (MAVEN NGIMS) had a good opportunity to observe these changes from the first detection in the upper atmosphere and throughout the duration of the PEDE. The compositional changes included increased density at a constant altitude for CO 2 and Ar, while the O decreased from the peak throughout the decay of the bulk of the PEDE.