Martian Ionopause Boundary: Coincidence With Photoelectron Boundary and Response to Internal and External Drivers

F. Duru; N. Baker; M. De Boer; A. Chamberlain; R. Verchimak; D. D. Morgan; F. Chu; Z. Girazian; D. A. Gurnett; J. Halekas; A. Kopf

doi:10.1029/2019JA027409

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Martian Ionopause Boundary: Coincidence With Photoelectron Boundary and Response to Internal and External Drivers

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Martian Ionopause Boundary: Coincidence With Photoelectron Boundary and Response to Internal and External Drivers

F. Duru, N. Baker, M. De Boer, A. Chamberlain, R. Verchimak, D. D. Morgan, F. Chu, Z. Girazian, D. A. Gurnett, J. Halekas, …

Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.125(5), e2019JA027409

05/01/2020

DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027409

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Abstract

The Martian ionopause boundary detected as steep gradients in the local electron density profiles from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounder on Mars Express is studied individually and statistically and compared to the photoelectron boundary identified by the drop of photoelectron signature due to CO2 and O molecules. In similar to 90% of the cases where we have electron energy flux data, the ionopause coincides with the photoelectron boundary. The steep density gradients form at the border of the photoelectron region and above. The ionopause is observed in a wide range of latitude, longitude, and altitude. According to remote sounding investigations, the average thickness of the ionopause is similar to 30 km. The average altitude is between 500 and 700 km on the dayside. The altitude of the ionopause is inversely related to the solar wind dynamic pressure. Strong crustal magnetic fields increase the altitude of the boundary and they have a slight, negative effect on the occurrence only for high values. The ionopause occurs more frequently, and its altitude is higher during southern summer. The average altitude of the ionopause and solar irradiance are correlated with each other. The effect of the extreme ultraviolet flux on the occurrence rate is less noticeable.

Physical Sciences

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Martian Ionopause Boundary: Coincidence With Photoelectron Boundary and Response to Internal and External Drivers
Creators: F. Duru - Coe College
N. Baker - Coe College
M. De Boer - Coe College
A. Chamberlain - Coe College
R. Verchimak - Coe College
D. D. Morgan - University of Iowa
F. Chu - University of Iowa
Z. Girazian - University of Iowa
D. A. Gurnett - University of Iowa
J. Halekas - University of Iowa
A. Kopf - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.125(5), e2019JA027409
DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027409
ISSN: 2169-9380
eISSN: 2169-9402
Publisher: Amer Geophysical Union
Number of pages: 13
Grant note: 1224107 / NASA from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Language: English
Date published: 05/01/2020
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984428683202771

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