Retrieval of Ar, N2, O, and CO in the Martian Thermosphere Using Dayglow Limb Observations by EMM EMUS

The Emirates Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS) onboard the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) Hope probe images Mars at wavelengths extending from approximately 100 to 170 nm. EMUS observations began in February 2021 and cover over a full Mars year. We report the first limb scan observations at Mars of ultraviolet emissions Ar I 106.6 nm, N I 120 nm, and carbon monoxide (CO) Fourth Positive Group (A− X) band system excited by electron impact on CO. We use EMUS limb scan observations to retrieve number density profiles of argon, molecular nitrogen, atomic oxygen, and CO in the upper atmosphere of Mars from 130 to 160 km. CO is a sensitive tracer of the thermal profile and winds in Mars' middle atmosphere and the chemistry that balances CO2in the atmosphere of Mars. EMUS insertion orbit special observations demonstrate that far ultraviolet limb measurements of the Martian thermosphere can be spectroscopically analyzed with a robust retrieval algorithm to further quantify variations of CO composition in the Martian upper atmosphere. This study focuses on satellite observations of ultraviolet light by the Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer onboard the Emirates Mars Mission. The observed ultraviolet light is generated by argon, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide and is used to determine the abundance of these gases in the upper atmosphere of Mars (130–160 km). We present the first remotely sensed measurements of argon and carbon monoxide abundances in the upper atmosphere of Mars. Mean retrieved argon, nitrogen, and oxygen densities, respectively, are lower than general circulation model predictions and other direct measurements by 10%–15%, ∼75%, and 35%–55%. Carbon monoxide densities measured for the first time agree qualitatively with measurements by other instruments and model predictions for similar conditions. We demonstrate that ultraviolet observations can be analyzed with a robust technique to further quantify variations of carbon monoxide abundance in the Martian upper atmosphere. Remotely sensed CO densities retrieved from 130 to 160 km for the first time are ∼45% lower than MCD 6.1 predictions for similar conditionsMean retrieved Ar, N2, and O densities from 130 to 160 km are lower than MCD 6.1 and NGIMS by 10%–15%, ∼75%, and 35%–45%, respectivelyHigh spectral resolution observations by EMM EMUS show the first detection of C I 119.3 nm emission blended with N I 120 nm emission Remotely sensed CO densities retrieved from 130 to 160 km for the first time are ∼45% lower than MCD 6.1 predictions for similar conditions Mean retrieved Ar, N2, and O densities from 130 to 160 km are lower than MCD 6.1 and NGIMS by 10%–15%, ∼75%, and 35%–45%, respectively High spectral resolution observations by EMM EMUS show the first detection of C I 119.3 nm emission blended with N I 120 nm emission