Journal article
The Magnetic Structure of the Subsolar MPB Current Layer From MAVEN Observations: Implications for the Hall Electric Force
Geophysical research letters, Vol.47(21), e2020GL089230
11/16/2020
DOI: 10.1029/2020GL089230
Abstract
We report on the local structure of the Martian subsolar magnetic pileup boundary (MPB) from minimum variance analysis of the magnetic field measured by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft for six orbits. In particular, we detect a well-defined current layer within the MPB and provide a local estimate of its current density which results in a sunward Hall electric force. This force accounts for the deflection of the solar wind ions and the acceleration of electrons which carry the interplanetary magnetic field through the MPB into the magnetic pileup region. We find that the thickness of the MPB current layer is of the order of both the upstream (magnetosheath) solar wind proton inertial length and convective gyroradius. This study provides a high-resolution view of one of the components of the current system around Mars reported in recent works.
Plain Language Summary We investigate the current layer associated with the outer boundary of the Martian induced magnetosphere in the subsolar sector from selected MAVEN magnetic field and solar wind plasma observations. We measure the variance of the magnetic field across the boundary to obtain its normal, which in turn is used to measure the strength of the current density. The current density we obtain is such that its derived Hall electric force is strong enough to stop the solar wind ions at the outer boundary of Mars magnetosphere. On the other hand, this force would push the solar wind electrons and the interplanetary magnetic field frozen into the electron plasma into the induced magnetosphere. We also find that the thickness of this current layer in terms of typical lengths of the solar wind ion plasma is similar to the thickness of the terrestrial magnetopause.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Magnetic Structure of the Subsolar MPB Current Layer From MAVEN Observations: Implications for the Hall Electric Force
- Creators
- G. Boscoboinik - Institute of Astronomy and Space PhysicsC. Bertucci - Institute of Astronomy and Space PhysicsD. Gomez - Institute of Astronomy and Space PhysicsL. Morales - Institute of Astronomy and Space PhysicsC. Mazelle - Research Institute in Astrophysics and PlanetologyJ. Halekas - University of IowaJ. Gruesbeck - Astrophysics Science DivisionD. Mitchell - University of California, BerkeleyB. Jakosky - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsE. Penou - Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geophysical research letters, Vol.47(21), e2020GL089230
- Publisher
- Amer Geophysical Union
- DOI
- 10.1029/2020GL089230
- ISSN
- 0094-8276
- eISSN
- 1944-8007
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- PICT 1707/2015; 1103/2018 / Agencia de Promocion Cientifica y Tecnologica (Argentina); ANPCyT
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/16/2020
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984429026902771
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