Fig. 5.

Trajectories of inbound and oubound parts of selected 12 MEX orbits on which MARSIS have observed a distinct asymmetry in the height ionospheric density profiles. Red and blue curves correspond to the trajectories along which the expanded or contracted ionosphere was respectively observed. Trajectories are plotted in the variables: (a) Altitude—Z_IMF, (b) Y Z_MSO and (c) Altitude—Strength of crustal field at 400 km inferred from the Cain model.