Journal article
MAVEN observations of energy‐time dispersed electron signatures in Martian crustal magnetic fields
Geophysical research letters, Vol.43(3), pp.939-944
02/16/2016
DOI: 10.1002/2015GL067040
Abstract
Energy‐time dispersed electron signatures are observed by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission in the vicinity of strong Martian crustal magnetic fields. Analysis of pitch angle distributions indicates that these dispersed electrons are typically trapped on closed field lines formed above strong crustal magnetic sources. Most of the dispersed electron signatures are characterized by peak energies decreasing with time rather than increasing peak energies. These properties can be explained by impulsive and local injection of hot electrons into closed field lines and subsequent dispersion by magnetic drift of the trapped electrons. In addition, the dispersed flux enhancements are often bursty and sometimes exhibit clear periodicity, suggesting that the injection and trapping processes are intrinsically time dependent and dynamic. These MAVEN observations demonstrate that common physical processes can operate in both global intrinsic magnetospheres and local crustal magnetic fields.
Key Points
MAVEN observes energy‐time dispersed electron signatures near Martian crustal magnetic fields
Electrons injected into closed field lines are subsequently dispersed by magnetic drift
Bursty, sometimes periodic, dispersion signatures suggest dynamic injection processes
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- MAVEN observations of energy‐time dispersed electron signatures in Martian crustal magnetic fields
- Creators
- Y Harada - University of California, BerkeleyD. L Mitchell - University of California, BerkeleyJ. S Halekas - University of IowaJ. P McFadden - University of California, BerkeleyC Mazelle - Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (CNRST)J. E. P Connerney - Goddard Space Flight CenterJ Espley - Goddard Space Flight CenterD. A Brain - University of Colorado BoulderD. E Larson - University of California, BerkeleyR. J Lillis - University of California, BerkeleyT Hara - University of California, BerkeleyR Livi - University of California, BerkeleyG. A DiBraccio - Goddard Space Flight CenterS Ruhunusiri - University of IowaB. M Jakosky - University of Colorado Boulder
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.43(3), pp.939-944
- DOI
- 10.1002/2015GL067040
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- NASA MAVEN Project
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/16/2016
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984200028202771
Metrics
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