Journal article
Martian Bow Shock Oscillations Driven by Solar Wind Variations: Simultaneous Observations From Tianwen‐1 and MAVEN
Geophysical research letters, Vol.50(16), e2023GL104769
08/28/2023
DOI: 10.1029/2023GL104769
Abstract
Abstract The Martian bow shock stands as the first defense against the solar wind and shapes the Martian magnetosphere. Previous studies showed the correlation between the Martian bow shock location and solar wind parameters. Here we present direct evidence of solar wind effects on the Martian bow shock by analyzing Tianwen‐1 and MAVEN data. We examined three cases where Tianwen‐1 data show rapid oscillations of the bow shock, while MAVEN data record changes in solar wind plasma and magnetic field. The results indicate that the bow shock is rapidly compressed and then expanded during the dynamic pressure pulse in the solar wind, and is also oscillated during the IMF rotation. The superposition of variations in multiple solar wind parameters leads to more intensive bow shock oscillation. This study emphasizes the importance of joint observations by Tianwen‐1 and MAVEN for studying the real‐time response of the Martian magnetosphere to the solar wind.
Plain Language Summary The Martian bow shock is a standing shock wave that forms ahead of Mars due to the interaction with the solar wind, where the supersonic solar wind flow drops sharply to subsonic. The bow shock plays a crucial role in shaping the Martian magnetosphere and controlling the energy, mass, and momentum exchange between the solar wind and the Martian atmosphere. Previous research has shown that the position of Mars' bow shock is related to the solar wind. This research presents two‐spacecraft observations of how the solar wind affects the Martian bow shock. By analyzing data obtained by two orbiters, Tianwen‐1 and MAVEN, we find that the bow shock quickly contracts when the solar wind dynamic pressure rises or when the interplanetary magnetic field direction turns radial. When there are multiple changes in the solar wind at the same time, the bow shock moves around even more. This study shows how important it is to look at data from Tianwen‐1 and MAVEN at the same time to understand how Mars' magnetosphere reacts to the solar wind.
Key Points First observations of the real‐time response of the Martian bow shock to changes in the upstream solar wind Direct evidence of the compression of the Martian bow shock under increased solar wind dynamic pressure Direct evidence of motion of the Martian bow shock caused by the rotation of the interplanetary magnetic field
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Martian Bow Shock Oscillations Driven by Solar Wind Variations: Simultaneous Observations From Tianwen‐1 and MAVEN
- Creators
- Long Cheng - University of California, BerkeleyRobert Lillis - University of California, BerkeleyYuming Wang - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaAnna Mittelholz - Harvard UniversityShaosui Xu - University of California, BerkeleyDavid L. Mitchell - University of California, BerkeleyCatherine Johnson - University of British ColumbiaZhenpeng Su - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaJasper S. Halekas - Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Iowa Iowa City IA USABenoit Langlais - Université d'AngersTielong Zhang - CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, Space Research Institute Austrian Academy of Sciences Graz Austria, Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen ChinaGuoqiang Wang - Harbin Institute of TechnologySudong Xiao - Harbin Institute of TechnologyZhuxuan Zou - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaZhiyong Wu - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaYutian Chi - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory Institute of Deep Space Sciences Hefei ChinaZonghao Pan - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaKai Liu - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaXinjun Hao - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaYiren Li - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaManming Chen - Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China, CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology/CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment/Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei ChinaJared Espley - Goddard Space Flight CenterFrank Eparvier - University of Colorado Boulder
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.50(16), e2023GL104769
- DOI
- 10.1029/2023GL104769
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/28/2023
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984459410702771
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