Magnetic reconnection in the near‐Mars magnetotail: MAVEN observations

Y. Harada; J. S. Halekas; J. P. McFadden; D. L. Mitchell; C. Mazelle; J. E. P. Connerney; J. Espley; D. E. Larson; D. A. Brain; L. Andersson; G. A. DiBraccio; G. A. Collinson; R. Livi; T. Hara; S. Ruhunusiri; B. M. Jakosky

doi:10.1002/2015GL065004

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Magnetic reconnection in the near‐Mars magnetotail: MAVEN observations

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Magnetic reconnection in the near‐Mars magnetotail: MAVEN observations

Y. Harada, J. S. Halekas, J. P. McFadden, D. L. Mitchell, C. Mazelle, J. E. P. Connerney, J. Espley, D. E. Larson, D. A. Brain, L. Andersson, …

Geophysical research letters, Vol.42(21), pp.8838-8845

11/16/2015

DOI: 10.1002/2015GL065004

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Abstract

We report Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) observations of electrons, ions, and magnetic fields which provide comprehensive demonstration of magnetic reconnection signatures in the Martian magnetotail. In the near‐Mars tail current sheet at XMSO∼−1.3RM, trapped electrons with two‐sided loss cones were observed, indicating the closed magnetic field topology. In the closed field region, MAVEN observed Hall magnetic field signatures and Marsward bulk flows of H+, O+, and O2+ ions, which suggest the presence of X lines tailward from the spacecraft. Velocity distribution functions of the reconnection outflow ions exhibit counterstreaming beams separated along the current sheet normal, and their bulk velocities in the outflow direction inversely depend on ion mass. These characteristics are in qualitative agreement with previous multispecies kinetic simulations. The near‐Mars magnetotail provides a unique environment for studying multi‐ion reconnection. Key Points We present comprehensive MAVEN observations of magnetic reconnection at Mars The observed signatures are consistent with previous multispecies PIC simulations Mars provides a unique environment for investigation of multi‐ion reconnection

counterstreaming ions

Hall magnetic fields

heavy ions

magnetic reconnection

Mars

MAVEN

Details

Title: Subtitle: Magnetic reconnection in the near‐Mars magnetotail: MAVEN observations
Creators: Y. Harada - University of California, Berkeley
J. S. Halekas - University of Iowa
J. P. McFadden - University of California, Berkeley
D. L. Mitchell - University of California
C. Mazelle - Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie
J. E. P. Connerney - Goddard Space Flight Center
J. Espley - Goddard Space Flight Center
D. E. Larson - University of California, Berkeley
D. A. Brain - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
L. Andersson - University of Colorado Boulder
G. A. DiBraccio - Goddard Space Flight Center
G. A. Collinson - Goddard Space Flight Center
R. Livi - University of California, Berkeley
T. Hara - University of California, Berkeley
S. Ruhunusiri - University of Iowa
B. M. Jakosky - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.42(21), pp.8838-8845
DOI: 10.1002/2015GL065004
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Number of pages: 8
Grant note: CNES
Language: English
Date published: 11/16/2015
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984428677702771

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