The variability, morphology and outflow of Martian ionospheric plasma

Details The variability, morphology and outflow of Martian ionospheric plasma The variability, morphology and outflow of Martian ionospheric plasma

Apr 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009eguga..11.5880l&link_type=abstract

"EGU General Assembly 2009, held 19-24 April, 2009 in Vienna, Austria http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2009, p.5880"

Physics

Scientific paper

ASPERA-3 measurements from Mars Express demonstrate that Martian ionospheric plasma escapes in a comet-like fashion. Low-energy (cold) ionospheric plasma is swept from the dayside, expanding into the nightside/tail of Mars. The primary energization processes brings ionospheric plasma to just above escape velocity (5 - 20 km/s). In analogy with the polar wind of the Earth, ionospheric plasma is expected to become energized by waves and electric fields generated by solar wind energy and momentum transfer processes. The rather symmetric and global comet-like escape of low-energy ionospheric plasma, streaming along the external sheath flow, suggest a "viscous-like" coupling between the sheath plasma and the expanding ionospheric plasma. The ionospheric ion outflow is very structured, fan-like and modulated in the ULF frequency range. The ionospheric densities measured vary correspondingly with time, altitude, latitude and local time. A similar variability of solar wind ions is found in the Martian magnetosheath. This implies that magnetosheath wave activity is involved, transferring energy and momentum to ionospheric ions. We demonstrate that the wave activity modulating ions and electrons, reaches down to the MEX pericenter (≈300 km), suggesting that heating/energization of ionospheric plasma extends deep into the ionosphere.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The variability, morphology and outflow of Martian ionospheric plasma does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The variability, morphology and outflow of Martian ionospheric plasma, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The variability, morphology and outflow of Martian ionospheric plasma will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1244599