Journal article
Cross-Shock Electrostatic Potentials at Mars Inferred From MAVEN Measurements
Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.126(3), e2020JA029064
03/2021
DOI: 10.1029/2020JA029064
Abstract
A bow shock is generated by the interaction of the solar wind with the planetary global dipole field (e.g., Earth), or with (mainly) the planetary ionosphere (e.g., Mars). The cross-shock potential has been well studied at Earth but not yet for Mars. We infer and approximate the peak in the frame invariant de Hoffmann-Teller shock potential profile at Mars (phi) with data from the Mars Atmospheric and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. We find that phi and its ratio to the solar wind ram ion energy (E-ram) vary similarly against solar zenith angle (SZA, a proxy for the angle between the solar wind flow and the shock normal) and magnetic latitudes. Our results also reveal no significant dependence of the shock potential on parameters such as the angle between the upstream interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and the shock normal and plasma beta of upstream solar wind. There is a somewhat positive correlation with the magnetosonic Mach number and the magnetic amplification ratio across the shock. We also find a solar cycle effect on the shock location, closer to the planet near the solar minimum, as expected. Lastly, similarities and differences of cross-shock potentials at Mars and Earth are discussed. Characterizing electron energization and high-altitude ion loss at Mars is influenced by the bow shock and thereby the work here.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Cross-Shock Electrostatic Potentials at Mars Inferred From MAVEN Measurements
- Creators
- Shaosui Xu - University of California, BerkeleySteven J. Schwartz - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsDavid L. Mitchell - Univ Calif Berkeley, Space Sci Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720 USAKonstantinos Horaites - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsLaila Andersson - University of Colorado BoulderJasper Halekas - University of IowaChristian Mazelle - Université de ToulouseJacob R. Gruesbeck - Goddard Space Flight Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.126(3), e2020JA029064
- Publisher
- Amer Geophysical Union
- DOI
- 10.1029/2020JA029064
- ISSN
- 2169-9380
- eISSN
- 2169-9402
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- NASA through the Mars Exploration Program NNH10CC04C / National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2021
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984428817202771
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