Photoelectrons and solar ionizing radiation at Mars: Predictions versus MAVEN observations

Understanding the evolution of the Martianatmosphere requires knowledge of processes transforming solar irradianceinto thermal energy well enough to model them accurately. Here we compare Martianphotoelectron energy spectra measured at periapsis by Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution MissioN (MAVEN) with calculations made using three photoelectron production codes and three solar irradiancemodels as well as modeled and measured CO2 densities. We restricted our comparisons to regions where the contribution from solar wind electrons and ions were negligible. The two intervals examined on 19 October 2014 have different observed incident solar irradiancespectra. In spite of the differences in photoionization cross sections and irradiance spectra used, we find the agreement between models to be within the combined uncertainties associated with the observations from the MAVEN neutral density, electron flux, and solar irradianceinstruments.