MHD model results of solar wind interaction with Mars and comparison with MAVEN plasma observations

Y. J. Ma; C. T. Russell; X. Fang; Y. Dong; A. F. Nagy; G. Toth; J. S. Halekas; J. E. P. Connerney; J. R. Espley; P. R. Mahaffy; M. Benna; J. P. McFadden; D. L. Mitchell; B. M. Jakosky

doi:10.1002/2015GL065218

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MHD model results of solar wind interaction with Mars and comparison with MAVEN plasma observations

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MHD model results of solar wind interaction with Mars and comparison with MAVEN plasma observations

Y. J. Ma, C. T. Russell, X. Fang, Y. Dong, A. F. Nagy, G. Toth, J. S. Halekas, J. E. P. Connerney, J. R. Espley, P. R. Mahaffy, …

Geophysical research letters, Vol.42(21), pp.9113-9120

11/16/2015

DOI: 10.1002/2015GL065218

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Abstract

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission (MAVEN), launched on 18 November 2013, is now in its primary science phase, orbiting Mars with a 4.5 h period. In this study, we use a time-dependent MHD model to interpret plasma observations made by MAVEN particle and field instruments. Detailed comparisons between the model and the relevant plasma observations from MAVEN are presented for an entire Mars rotation under relatively quiet solar wind conditions. Through comparison along MAVEN orbits, we find that the time-dependent multispecies single-fluid MHD model is able to reproduce the main features of the plasma environment around Mars. Using the model results, we find that photoionization beyond the terminator is the dominant ion source as compared with day-night transport in maintaining the nightside ionosphere. Model results also show that both the time-varying solar wind conditions and the continuously rotating crustal field work together to control the ion escape variation with time.

Geology

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: MHD model results of solar wind interaction with Mars and comparison with MAVEN plasma observations
Creators: Y. J. Ma - Planetary Science Institute
C. T. Russell - Planetary Science Institute
X. Fang - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Y. Dong - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
A. F. Nagy - University of Michigan
G. Toth - University of Michigan
J. S. Halekas - University of Iowa
J. E. P. Connerney - Goddard Space Flight Center
J. R. Espley - Goddard Space Flight Center
P. R. Mahaffy - Goddard Space Flight Center
M. Benna - Goddard Space Flight Center
J. P. McFadden - University of California, Berkeley
D. L. Mitchell - Univ Calif Berkeley, Space Sci Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
B. M. Jakosky - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.42(21), pp.9113-9120
DOI: 10.1002/2015GL065218
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Publisher: Amer Geophysical Union
Number of pages: 8
Grant note: NNX13AO31G; NNG06GF31G; NNH1OCCO4C; NNX11AN38G / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) AST-0908472 / NSF; National Science Foundation (NSF)
Language: English
Date published: 11/16/2015
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984428663602771

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