Calibration

The Martian Ionosphere, a layer of electrically charged particles, lies about 110 to 130 km above the planet. The particles occur in the upper atmosphere where they are exposed to higher levels of solar radiation, splitting the molecules and releasing free electrons. Knowledge about the ionosphere is important because it modifies the radio waves which pass through it. Determining the total electron content of the ionosphere will allow for future instruments which use radio waves to be calibrated.