Journal article
Superthermal Electron Observations at Mars During the December 2022 Disappearing Solar Wind Event
Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.129(2), e2023JA032258
02/01/2024
DOI: 10.1029/2023JA032258
Abstract
On 26-27 December 2022, Mars experienced an extremely low-density solar wind stream, which was encountered first by Earth because of the radial alignment of the two planets (i.e., Mars opposition). During this event, two important properties of the ionospheric and magnetospheric states changed significantly in response to the low solar wind ram pressure, as inferred from the superthermal electron observations from the Mars Atmospheric and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. The interface between the ionosphere and magnetosphere expanded to thousands of kilometers, outside of the nominal bow shock locations, coinciding with the expansion of the cold planetary ions. Meanwhile, the ambipolar electrostatic potential arising from the ionospheric electron pressure gradient increased from the nominal similar to -0.7 to similar to -2 V (relative to the lower ionosphere). This enhanced ambipolar potential likely facilitated the observed ionosphere expansion.
This study characterizes Mars's magnetospheric and ionospheric response to the disappearing solar wind event in December 2022 During the event, open and closed field lines extend beyond the nominal bow shock location, just as the planetary cold ions The ionospheric ambipolar potential drop is enhanced from the nominal similar to -0.7 to similar to -2 V, likely facilitating the ionosphere expansion
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Superthermal Electron Observations at Mars During the December 2022 Disappearing Solar Wind Event
- Creators
- Shaosui Xu - University of California, BerkeleyDavid L. Mitchell - University of California, BerkeleyJasper Halekas - University of IowaDavid A. Brain - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsTristan Weber - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsLaila Andersson - University of Colorado BoulderSkylar Shaver - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsAbigail Azari - University of California, BerkeleyJames P. McFadden - University of California, BerkeleyKathleen Hanley - University of California, BerkeleyYingjuan Ma - Earth and Space ResearchChristina Lee - University of California, BerkeleyGina A. DiBraccio - Goddard Space Flight CenterChristian Mazelle - Université de ToulouseShannon M. Curry - University of California, Berkeley
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.129(2), e2023JA032258
- Publisher
- Amer Geophysical Union
- DOI
- 10.1029/2023JA032258
- ISSN
- 2169-9380
- eISSN
- 2169-9402
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- NNH10CC04 C / National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) NASA through the Mars Exploration Program National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) French space agency CNES (National Centre for Space Studies)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984563455702771
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