First measurements of the ionospheric plasma escape from Mars

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

219

Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Atmospheric Composition, Mars Atmosphere, Planetary Magnetospheres, Solar Planetary Interactions, Mars Probes, Planetary Magnetic Fields, Shock Waves, Soviet Spacecraft

Scientific paper

The results are reported of an ion-composition experiment on board the Phobos 2 spacecraft which was used to determine the loss of plasma from the Martian ionosphere. Surprisingly, there are many similarities between the ionospheric outflow from Mars and earth. The ion loss from Mars results from both ion pickup due to mass-loading of the solar wind in the Martian boundary layer and ionospheric O(+) beams of energies up to several keV, possibly from upward acceleration processes similar to those observed above the earth's auroral oval. A preliminary estimate of the ionospheric outflow from Mars indicates that the planet is losing oxygen at a rate of about 3 x 10 to the 25th ions/s. This corresponds to an evacuation of its present total atmospheric oxygen content in less than 100 million years.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

First measurements of 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 First measurements of the ionospheric plasma escape from Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and First measurements of the ionospheric plasma escape from Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1531712

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.