Journal article
A Statistical Investigation of Factors Influencing the Magnetotail Twist at Mars
Geophysical research letters, Vol.49(12), pp.e2022GL098007-n/a
06/28/2022
DOI: 10.1029/2022GL098007
PMCID: PMC9286686
PMID: 35865912
Abstract
The Martian magnetotail exhibits a highly twisted configuration, shifting in response to changes in polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field's (IMF) dawn-dusk (B-Y) component. Here, we analyze similar to 6000 MAVEN orbits to quantify the degree of magnetotail twisting (theta(Twist)) and assess variations as a function of (a) strong planetary crustal field location, (b) Mars season, and (c) downtail distance. The results demonstrate that theta(Twist) is larger for a duskward (+B-Y) IMF orientation a majority of the time. This preference is likely due to the local orientation of crustal magnetic fields across the surface of Mars, where a +B-Y IMF orientation presents ideal conditions for magnetic reconnection to occur. Additionally, we observe an increase in theta(Twist) with downtail distance, similar to Earth's magnetotail. These findings suggest that coupling between the IMF and moderate-to-weak crustal field regions may play a major role in determining the magnetospheric structure at Mars.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Statistical Investigation of Factors Influencing the Magnetotail Twist at Mars
- Creators
- Gina A. DiBraccio - Goddard Space Flight CenterNorberto Romanelli - Goddard Space Flight CenterCharles F. Bowers - Univ Michigan, Dept Climate & Space Sci & Engn, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USAJacob R. Gruesbeck - Goddard Space Flight CenterJasper S. Halekas - University of IowaSuranga Ruhunusiri - University of IowaTristan Weber - Goddard Space Flight CenterJared R. Espley - Goddard Space Flight CenterShaosui Xu - University of California, BerkeleyJanet G. Luhmann - University of California, BerkeleyYuki Harada - Kyoto UniversityEduard Dubinin - Max Planck Institute for Solar System ResearchGang Kai Poh - NASA, Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USADavid A. Brain - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsShannon M. Curry - University of California, Berkeley
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.49(12), pp.e2022GL098007-n/a
- DOI
- 10.1029/2022GL098007
- PMID
- 35865912
- PMCID
- PMC9286686
- NLM abbreviation
- Geophys Res Lett
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Publisher
- Amer Geophysical Union
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- NASA through the Mars Exploration Program 80GSFC21M0002 / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) TE 664/4-1; PA 525/25-1 / DFG; German Research Foundation (DFG) 80GSFC21M0002 / University of Maryland College Park
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/28/2022
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984428819702771
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