Quick-look estimates of ionospheric properties from radio occultation data

Radio occultations are commonly used to determine vertical profiles of ionospheric electron density from measurements frequency. “Frequency residuals” important intermediate data products in radio occultation experiments. Frequency residuals defined as the difference between observed and predicted values received frequency, where frequency includes all effects except refraction at target object. However, relationships properties a profile time series not widely known by broad community scientists who may work with residuals. Here we illustrate explain how affect We also develop four quantitative These provide predictions for topside plasma scale height, densities, peak altitude, that can be generated directly set without need implement full Abel transform analysis is usually required densities They prior implementation high-quality baseline correction, which sensitive. The development these assumed ionosphere has an exponential Chapman-like peak. successfully tested on two-way observations MAVEN Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE) Mars.