Journal article
Plasma Acceleration by Magnetic Tension Forces in the Martian Magnetotail: MAVEN Observations
Geophysical research letters, Vol.52(24), e2025GL119985
12/28/2025
DOI: 10.1029/2025gl119985
Abstract
The Martian magnetotail is a dynamic region where several processes contribute to plasma acceleration. Here, we analyze ∼ 5 years of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) data to evaluate the role of magnetic tension forces in driving plasma acceleration within current sheets in the tail. Based on magnetic field measurements, we identify 547 current sheet crossings that follow a Harris profile and find that the median observed current sheet density is ∼110 nA m 2 , with a typical sheet width of ∼100 km. We estimate a median normalized |⟨B n ⟩| of ∼0.1, and J × B n force of ∼ 10 16 N m 3 , capable of accelerating planetary ions within the sheets to ∼1 keV over ∼2 R M . We also analyze plasma energization signatures in nine high-B n case studies and find they can be explained by work done by J × B n , although observed ion differential streaming suggests additional forces may be present.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Plasma Acceleration by Magnetic Tension Forces in the Martian Magnetotail: MAVEN Observations
- Creators
- Norberto Romanelli - Goddard Space Flight CenterRonan Modolo - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueGina Dibraccio - Goddard Space Flight CenterJacob Gruesbeck - Goddard Space Flight CenterShaosui Xu - University of California, BerkeleyChristopher Fowler - West Virginia UniversityEduard Dubinin - Max Planck Institute for Solar System ResearchJasper Halekas - University of IowaShannon Curry - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsRobert Lillis - University of California, BerkeleyJared Espley - Goddard Space Flight CenterKathleen Hanley - University of California, BerkeleyYingjuan Ma - University of California, Los AngelesSuranga Ruhunusiri - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsDavid Mitchell - University of California, BerkeleyChristian Mazelle - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.52(24), e2025GL119985
- DOI
- 10.1029/2025gl119985
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Publisher
- American Geophysical Union
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/28/2025
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9985091803802771
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