Other
Scientific paper
Sep 1992
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992adspr..12..255l&link_type=abstract
(Recent results on Mars and Venus; Proceedings of Symposium 3 and the Topical Meetings of the Interdisciplinary Scientific Commi
Other
26
Mars (Planet), Planetary Ionospheres, Planetary Magnetic Fields, Planetary Magnetospheres, Space Plasmas, Dehydration, Molecular Ions, Solar Planetary Interactions, Solar Wind
Scientific paper
The outflow of ions from the Martian ionosphere was studied by the ASPERA instrument on the Soviet Phobos-2 spacecraft. The Martian magnetosphere tail is found to be dominated by plasma of Martian origin, primarily atomic oxygen and exospheric hydrogen, but also with a substantial admixture of molecular ions. The ionospheric plasma escape may be related with several different processes, one which is similar to that near magnetized bodies (e.g., the earth), and another that usually dominates near nonmagnetized bodies (e.g., comets). The loss rate of the ionospheric ion outflow is very high, about 1 kg/s. This value corresponds to an erosion of the Martian atmosphere in about 100 million years. Thus, under the assumption that Mars was weakly magnetized also in the past, the solar wind interaction with its exosphere/ionosphere may have been a major reason for the observed dehydration of Mars.
Dubinin Edouard M.
Lundin Richard
No associations
LandOfFree
Phobos-2 results on the ionospheric plasma escape from Mars 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 Phobos-2 results on the ionospheric plasma escape from Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Phobos-2 results on the ionospheric plasma escape from Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1765527