Influence of Magnetic Fields on Precipitating Solar Wind Hydrogen at Mars

Sarah Henderson; Jasper Halekas; Zach Girazian; Jared Espley; Meredith Elrod

doi:10.1029/2022GL099114

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Influence of Magnetic Fields on Precipitating Solar Wind Hydrogen at Mars

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Influence of Magnetic Fields on Precipitating Solar Wind Hydrogen at Mars

Sarah Henderson, Jasper Halekas, Zach Girazian, Jared Espley and Meredith Elrod

Geophysical research letters, Vol.49(12), e2022GL099114

06/28/2022

DOI: 10.1029/2022GL099114

PMCID: PMC9285465

PMID: 35860423

Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access

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Abstract

Solar wind protons can interact directly with the hydrogen corona of Mars through charge exchange, resulting in energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) able to penetrate deep into the upper atmosphere of Mars. ENAs can undergo multiple charge changing interactions, leading to an observable beam of penetrating protons in the upper atmosphere. We seek to characterize the behavior of these protons in the presence of magnetic fields using data collected by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft. We find that backscattered penetrating proton flux is enhanced in regions where the magnetic field strength is greater than 200 nT. We also find a strong correlation at CO2 column densities less than 5.5 x 10(14) cm(-2) between magnetic field strength and the observed backscattered and downward flux. We do not see significant changes in penetrating proton flux with magnetic field strengths on the order of 10 nT.

Geology

Physical Sciences

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Science & Technology

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Details

Title: Subtitle: Influence of Magnetic Fields on Precipitating Solar Wind Hydrogen at Mars
Creators: Sarah Henderson - University of Iowa
Jasper Halekas - University of Iowa
Zach Girazian - Univ Iowa, Dept Phys & Astron, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
Jared Espley - Goddard Space Flight Center
Meredith Elrod - Goddard Space Flight Center
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.49(12), e2022GL099114
DOI: 10.1029/2022GL099114
PMID: 35860423
PMCID: PMC9285465
NLM abbreviation: Geophys Res Lett
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Publisher: Wiley
Number of pages: 10
Grant note: MAVEN SWIA subcontract 80GSFC21M0002 / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
Language: English
Date published: 06/28/2022
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984323339002771

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