Journal article
Solar wind interaction effects on the magnetic fields around Mars: Consequences for interplanetary and crustal field measurements
Planetary and space science, Vol.117, pp.15-23
11/2015
DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2015.05.004
Abstract
The first unambiguous detections of the crustal remanent magnetic fields of Mars were obtained by Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) during its initial orbits around Mars, which probed altitudes to within ∼110km of the surface. However, the majority of its measurements were carried out around 400km altitude, fixed 2a.m. to 2p.m. local time, mapping orbit. While the general character and planetary origins of the localized crustal fields were clearly revealed by the mapping survey data, their effects on the solar wind interaction could not be investigated in much detail because of the limited mapping orbit sampling. Previous analyses (Brain et al., 2006) of the field measurements on the dayside nevertheless provided an idea of the extent to which the interaction of the solar wind and planetary fields leads to non-ideal field draping at the mapping altitude. In this study we use numerical simulations of the global solar wind interaction with Mars as an aid to interpreting that observed non-ideal behavior. In addition, motivated by models for different interplanetary field orientations, we investigate the effects of induced and reconnected (planetary and external) fields on the Martian field's properties derived at the MGS mapping orbit altitude. The results suggest that inference of the planetary low order moments is compromised by their influence. In particular, the intrinsic dipole contribution may differ from that in the current models because the induced component is so dominant.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Solar wind interaction effects on the magnetic fields around Mars: Consequences for interplanetary and crustal field measurements
- Creators
- J.G Luhmann - Space Sciences LaboratoryY.-J Ma - University of California, Los AngelesD.A Brain - University of Colorado BoulderD Ulusen - Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyR.J Lillis - Space Sciences LaboratoryJ.S Halekas - University of IowaJ.R Espley - Goddard Space Flight Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Planetary and space science, Vol.117, pp.15-23
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.pss.2015.05.004
- ISSN
- 0032-0633
- eISSN
- 1873-5088
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000104, name: NASA, award: NNX11AI86G; DOI: 10.13039/100005595, name: University of California
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2015
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984200034902771
Metrics
7 Record Views