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Open Magnetic Fields in the Martian Magnetosphere Revealing Dipole-like Intrinsic Magnetic Fields at Mars
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Open Magnetic Fields in the Martian Magnetosphere Revealing Dipole-like Intrinsic Magnetic Fields at Mars

Shaosui Xu, Janet Luhmann, David Mitchell, Tristan Weber, David Brain, Yingjuan Ma, Shannon Curry, Gina DiBraccio, Jasper Halekas, Suranga Ruhunusiri, …
Astrophysical journal. Letters, Vol.957(2), L29
11/01/2023
DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad0784
url
https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ad0784View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Mars’s magnetosphere is hybrid, having contributions from both an induced magnetosphere like Venus and the localized crustal magnetic fields. However, the planetary fields also include large-scale, more global components. In this study, we investigate their role in Mars’s magnetospheric topological responses to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angle using observations from the Mars Atmospheric Volatile and EvolutioN mission. We show that the large-scale planetary field has a “dipole-like” influence on the Mars global magnetosphere by examining the open field topology. We find that the “dipole-like” planetary field, as at Earth, results in a more open magnetosphere during southward IMF. The clock angle effects on the twisted magnetotail current sheet are similarly consistent with this analogy. It reinforces the idea that Mars’s magnetosphere and solar wind interaction are more Earth-like than previously thought.
Topology Current sheets Dipoles Earth magnetosphere Interplanetary magnetic field Magnetic fields Magnetospheric-solar wind relationships Magnetotails Mars Planetary evolution Planetary magnetic fields Planetary magnetospheres Solar wind Venus

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