Journal article
Solar Wind Induced Waves in the Skies of Mars: Ionospheric Compression, Energization, and Escape Resulting From the Impact of Ultralow Frequency Magnetosonic Waves Generated Upstream of the Martian Bow Shock
Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.123(9), pp.7241-7256
09/2018
DOI: 10.1029/2018JA025414
Abstract
Using data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Mars Atmosphere and Voltatile EvolutioN and the European Space Agency Mars Express spacecraft, we show that transient phenomena in the foreshock and solar wind can directly inject energy into the ionosphere of Mars. We demonstrate that the impact of compressive ultralow frequency waves in the solar wind on the induced magnetospheres drive compressional, linearly polarized, magnetosonic ultralow frequency waves in the ionosphere, and a localized electromagnetic "ringing" at the local proton gyrofrequency. The pulsations heat and energize ionospheric plasmas. A preliminary survey of events shows that no special upstream conditions are required in the interplanetary magnetic field or solar wind. Elevated ion densities and temperatures in the solar wind near to Mars are consistent with the presence of an additional population of Martian ions, leading to ion‐ion instablities, associated wave‐particle interactions, and heating of the solar wind. The phenomenon was found to be seasonal, occurring when Mars is near perihelion. Finally, we present simultaneous multipoint observations of the phenomenon, with the Mars Express observing the waves upstream, and Mars Atmosphere and Voltatile EvolutioN observing the response in the ionosphere. When these new observations are combined with decades of previous studies, they collectively provide strong evidence for a previously undemonstrated atmospheric loss process at unmagnetized planets: ionospheric escape driven by the direct impact of transient phenomena from the foreshock and solar wind.
Key Points
The impact of ultralow frequency (ULF) waves in the solar wind can drive compressional magnetosonic ULF waves in the ionosphere of Mars
We survey MAVEN data, plus examine simultaneous multipoint observations by Mars Express, finding this phenomena occurs at Martian perihelion
These ionospheric ULF waves drive compressive heating of the ionosphere and launch bursts of time‐dispersed energetic ions
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Solar Wind Induced Waves in the Skies of Mars: Ionospheric Compression, Energization, and Escape Resulting From the Impact of Ultralow Frequency Magnetosonic Waves Generated Upstream of the Martian Bow Shock
- Creators
- Glyn Collinson - Goddard Space Flight CenterLynn B Wilson - Goddard Space Flight CenterNick Omidi - Solana Scientific Solana Beach CA USADavid Sibeck - Goddard Space Flight CenterJared Espley - Goddard Space Flight CenterChristopher M Fowler - University of California, BerkeleyDavid Mitchell - University of California, BerkeleyJoseph Grebowsky - Goddard Space Flight CenterChristian Mazelle - Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (CNRST)Suranga Ruhunusiri - University of IowaJasper Halekas - University of IowaRudy Frahm - Southwest Research InstituteTielong Zhang - Austrian Academy of SciencesYoshifumi Futaana - Swedish Institute of Space PhysicsBruce Jakosky - University of California, Berkeley
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.123(9), pp.7241-7256
- DOI
- 10.1029/2018JA025414
- ISSN
- 2169-9380
- eISSN
- 2169-9402
- Number of pages
- 16
- Grant note
- NASA (NASW00003) NASA Solar System Workings Program (NNX15A176G)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2018
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984199713002771
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