Journal article
A Fast Bow Shock Location Predictor-Estimator From 2D and 3D Analytical Models: Application to Mars and the MAVEN Mission
Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.127(1), pp.e2021JA029942-n/a
01/2022
DOI: 10.1029/2021JA029942
PMCID: PMC9285960
PMID: 35865029
Abstract
We present fast algorithms to automatically estimate the statistical position of the bow shock from spacecraft data, using existing analytical two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models of the shock surface. We derive expressions of the standoff distances in 2D and 3D and of the normal to the bow shock at any given point on it. Two simple bow shock detection algorithms are constructed, one solely based on a geometrical predictor from existing models, the other using this predicted position to further refine it with the help of magnetometer data, an instrument flown on many planetary missions. Both empirical techniques are applicable to any planetary environment with a defined shock structure. Applied to the Martian environment and the NASA/MAVEN mission, the predicted shock position is on average within 0.15 planetary radius R-p of the bow shock crossing. Using the predictor-corrector algorithm, this estimate is further refined to within a few minutes of the true crossing (approximate to 0.05R(p)). Between 2014 and 2021, we detect 14,929 clear bow shock crossings, predominantly quasi-perpendicular. Thanks to 2D conic and 3D quadratic fits, we investigate the variability of the shock surface with respect to Mars Years (MY), solar longitude (Ls), and solar EUV flux levels. Although asymmetry in Y and Z Mars Solar Orbital coordinates is on average small, we show that for MY32 and MY35, Ls = [135 degrees-225 degrees] and high solar flux, it can become particularly noticeable, and is superimposed to the usual North-South asymmetry due in part to the presence of crustal magnetic fields.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Fast Bow Shock Location Predictor-Estimator From 2D and 3D Analytical Models: Application to Mars and the MAVEN Mission
- Creators
- Cyril Simon Wedlund - Austrian Acad Sci, Space Res Inst, Graz, AustriaMartin Volwerk - Space Research InstituteArnaud Beth - Umeå UniversityChristian Mazelle - Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieChristian Mostl - Space Research InstituteJasper Halekas - University of IowaJacob R. Gruesbeck - Goddard Space Flight CenterDiana Rojas-Castillo - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.127(1), pp.e2021JA029942-n/a
- DOI
- 10.1029/2021JA029942
- PMID
- 35865029
- PMCID
- PMC9285960
- NLM abbreviation
- J Geophys Res Space Phys
- ISSN
- 2169-9380
- eISSN
- 2169-9402
- Publisher
- Amer Geophysical Union
- Number of pages
- 31
- Grant note
- 108/18 / Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) French space agency CNES; Centre National D'etudes Spatiales P32035-N36; P31659-N27; P31521-N27 / Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2022
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984429046702771
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