Journal article
Heavy Ion Escape at Mars during the Disappearing Solar Wind Event in 2022 December
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.975(2), 175
11/01/2024
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad84f6
Abstract
A unique event known as the disappearing solar wind (DSW), characterized by an extremely low-density solar wind stream, occurred at Mars on 2022 December 26–27. As this stream flowed past Mars, several properties of the Mars–solar wind interaction changed in response to the density drop. We utilize in situ plasma measurements from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft to examine heavy ion escape during this event. We find that escaping ions with energies above and below 30 eV responded differently to the reduction in solar wind density. High-energy ions experienced a decrease in flux, whereas low-energy ions experienced an increase, regardless of whether they were escaping through the plume or tailward channel. Furthermore, we observe a net reduction in the flux of plume escaping ions during the DSW period, primarily due to a considerable reduction in the high-energy component, which typically dominates plume escape. In contrast, the overall flux of tailward escaping ions increased during this period. These variations in heavy ion escape are mainly attributed to substantial reductions in solar wind dynamic pressure and momentum density. This paper provides new insights into the dynamics of heavy ion escape under an exceptional state of the Mars–solar wind interaction.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Heavy Ion Escape at Mars during the Disappearing Solar Wind Event in 2022 December
- Creators
- Han-Wen Shen - University of IowaJasper S. Halekas - University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa City, IA, USAJames P. McFadden - University of California, BerkeleyJacob R. Gruesbeck - Goddard Space Flight CenterNeesha R. Schnepf - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Astrophysical journal, Vol.975(2), 175
- Publisher
- The American Astronomical Society
- DOI
- 10.3847/1538-4357/ad84f6
- ISSN
- 0004-637X
- eISSN
- 1538-4357
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- NNH10CC04C / NASA ∣ SMD ∣ Planetary Science Division (PSD) (https://doi.org/10.13039/100020017)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984742655802771
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