Journal article
Statistical Analysis of Multiple Bow Shock Crossings at Mars
Geophysical research letters, Vol.52(19), p.n/a
10/16/2025
DOI: 10.1029/2025GL118868
Abstract
We conduct a statistical analysis of multiple bow shock (BS) crossings at Mars. Data from the magnetometer (MAG) and Solar Wind Ion Analyzer (SWIA) onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft from its first 2 years in orbit is used to identify flapping events. These are interpreted as the bow shock moving toward and away from Mars. 9% of all MAVEN passes occur when the BS is flapping. Such events are more common on the flanks than on the ramside and more common at southern dayside latitudes than in the north. The probability of flapping increases with increased dynamic pressure and decreased Mach number. The distribution of shock velocity and shock jump differ from the single‐BS cases. The shock moves in a swaying motion on the time scale of minutes, and such dynamics could influence other processes at Mars, such as plasma waves, wave‐particle interaction, and ion acceleration.
Plain Language Summary
At Mars, the bow shock is a boundary where the solar wind‐a stream of charged particles from the Sun‐slows down abruptly as it encounters the planet's atmosphere. Sometimes, this boundary is not stable but moves back and forth in a swaying, or “flapping,” motion. Using 2 years of data from NASA's MAVEN spacecraft, we found that such flapping occurs during about 9% $\%$ of MAVEN's orbits. These events are more common at the sides of the planet (flanks) and in the southern part of the dayside. We also found that flapping is more likely when the solar wind pushes harder against Mars (higher dynamic pressure) and when the solar wind speed relative to the sound and magnetic wave speeds (the magnetosonic Mach number) is lower. When flapping occurs, the properties of the shock and magnetic field change in ways that suggest a more dynamic and variable environment. These shock motions can affect how energy and particles move around Mars, potentially influencing plasma waves, particle acceleration, and interactions between the solar wind and Mars' upper atmosphere. Understanding these dynamics helps us better grasp how solar wind shapes the space environment around unmagnetized planets like Mars.
Key Points
Multiple bow shock crossings (flapping) at Mars occur in 9% of the MAVEN passes
Flapping is more common on the flanks and at southern dayside latitudes but is also influenced by solar wind conditions and IMF orientation
Bow shock dynamics can influence plasma processes in the magnetosheath and induced magnetosphere below
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Statistical Analysis of Multiple Bow Shock Crossings at Mars
- Creators
- Niklas J. T. Edberg - Swedish Institute of Space PhysicsDavid J. Andrews - Swedish Institute of Space PhysicsLong Cheng - Swedish Institute of Space PhysicsKonstantin Kim - Swedish Institute of Space PhysicsKaterina Stergiopoulou - University of LeicesterMark Lester - University of LeicesterCyril Simon Wedlund - Space Research InstituteJasper S. Halekas - University of IowaShannon M. Curry - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.52(19), p.n/a
- DOI
- 10.1029/2025GL118868
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Publisher
- AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- Austrian Science Fund (10.55776/P35954) Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology Facilities Council University of California, Los Angeles International Space Science Institute (23–593) UK‐STFC (ST/W00089X/1) Swedish research council (2020‐03962)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/16/2025
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9985014899102771
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