Journal article
Correlated Response of the Martian Dayside Magnetic Pileup Boundary and Bow Shock to Solar Wind and Planetary Drivers
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.1005(2), 233
07/10/2026
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae7b2e
Abstract
The interaction between the supermagnetosonic solar wind and the atmosphere of the weakly magnetized planet Mars forms an induced magnetosphere preceded by a magnetic pileup boundary (MPB) and bow shock (BS). In situ measurements have shown that these boundaries are permanent and well-defined structures that exhibit significant variability driven by external (Sun, solar wind) and internal (planetary) factors. In this work, we used MAVEN observations from 2014 to 2019 to analyze the coupled behavior of the BS and MPB, focusing on their spatial correlation and variability under varying conditions. We examine contiguous BS-MPB spacecraft crossings and the magnetosheath region between them, and we explore the effects of various plasma parameters on the relative position of the boundaries and the thickness of the magnetosheath. We demonstrate a statistical correlation between the BS and MPB positions across multiple timescales, including sustained local solar wind and planetary conditions, seasonal changes, and solar cycle variations. These results support the interpretation that the MPB plays a key role as an electromagnetic obstacle to the solar wind, effectively controlling the formation of the bow shock. We also confirm the limited size of the Martian magnetosheath, both in absolute terms and relative to fundamental plasma scales, which has important implications for understanding the microscopic plasma processes responsible for solar wind thermalization. While acknowledging the limitations of single-spacecraft measurements, this study provides a foundation for future multipoint probing of the Martian environment and the magnetosphere as a system.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Correlated Response of the Martian Dayside Magnetic Pileup Boundary and Bow Shock to Solar Wind and Planetary Drivers
- Creators
- Sofía Burne - Imperial College LondonGabriela Boscoboinik - Institute of Astronomy and Space PhysicsCésar Bertucci - Institute of Astronomy and Space PhysicsLaura Morales - Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias BásicasChristian Mazelle - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-PyrénéesCyril Wedlund - University of GrazJacob Fruchtman - University of IowaJasper Halekas - University of IowaJared Espley - Goddard Space Flight CenterDavid Mitchell - University of California, BerkeleyDaniel Gómez - Institute of Astronomy and Space PhysicsChristian Mazelle - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Astrophysical journal, Vol.1005(2), 233
- DOI
- 10.3847/1538-4357/ae7b2e
- ISSN
- 0004-637X
- eISSN
- 1538-4357
- Publisher
- American Astronomical Society
- Grant note
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): MR/X034704/1 Austrian Science Fund (FWF): 10.55776/P35954 Centre National d'tudes Spatiales (CNES): MAVEN-SWEA APR 2025
S.B.'s work at Imperial College London is supported by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project MR/X034704/1. C.S.W. is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) project 10.55776/P35954. Parts of this work for the observations obtained with the SWEA instrument are supported by the French space agency CNES (National Centre for Space Studies) via the project CNES MAVEN-SWEA APR 2025.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/10/2026
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9985180789402771
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