Large‐amplitude compressive “sawtooth” magnetic field oscillations in the Martian magnetosphere

J. S Halekas; D. A Brain; J. P Eastwood

doi:10.1029/2011JA016590

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Large‐amplitude compressive “sawtooth” magnetic field oscillations in the Martian magnetosphere

Journal article

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Large‐amplitude compressive “sawtooth” magnetic field oscillations in the Martian magnetosphere

J. S Halekas, D. A Brain and J. P Eastwood

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, Vol.116(A7), pp.1-n/a

07/2011

DOI: 10.1029/2011JA016590

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Abstract

We present Mars Global Surveyor mapping observations of large‐amplitude “sawtooth” magnetic field oscillations in the induced magnetosphere of Mars and discuss their possible origin. These highly compressive, linearly polarized, quasiperiodic features occur above the sunlit hemisphere of Mars, below the magnetosheath, but outside of photoelectron‐dominated regions. The correlation between solar zenith angle and estimated solar wind dynamic pressure at the sawtooth observation time and location at ∼400 km altitude suggests an association with a flared boundary, possibly the ionopause. Magnetic reconnection, ionospheric instabilities and/or irregularities, and crustal magnetic field effects may all play a role in generating these compressional features, with individual observations suggesting that each may at times prove important. These processes each have implications for magnetospheric dynamics and nonthermal ion escape from the Martian system. Key Points MGS observes large‐amplitude linearly polarized compressive oscillations at Mars Reconnection, ionospheric instabilities, and crustal fields may play a role These processes have important implications for nonthermal atmospheric loss

atmospheric loss

ionospheric instabilities

Mars

reconnection

Details

Title: Subtitle: Large‐amplitude compressive “sawtooth” magnetic field oscillations in the Martian magnetosphere
Creators: J. S Halekas - University of California, Berkeley
D. A Brain - University of California, Berkeley
J. P Eastwood - Imperial College London
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, Vol.116(A7), pp.1-n/a
DOI: 10.1029/2011JA016590
ISSN: 0148-0227
eISSN: 2156-2202
Number of pages: 13
Language: English
Date published: 07/2011
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984199931102771

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