Multiple-ion effects at Martian plasma boundaries

Physics

Scientific paper

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Heavy Ions, Magnetopause, Mars (Planet), Planetary Magnetospheres, Plasmapause, Space Plasmas, Exosphere, Particle Acceleration, Planetary Ionospheres, Solar Planetary Interactions, Solar Wind, Soviet Spacecraft

Scientific paper

Magnetic field and plasma measurements on board the Soviet spacecraft Phobos 2 during its five elliptical orbits around Mars have been analyzed. The existence of two separate plasma boundaries behind the bow shock, called planetopause (PP) and magnetopause (MP), seems to be a characteristic feature of the solar wind interaction with a weakly magnetized planetary ionosphere. It is suggested that the planetopause is a multiple-ion contact discontinuity, where the lighter ions (solar wind protons) are deflected at an exospheric density ramp. The magnetic field, however, may penetrate the planetopause because of finite electron velocity through this boundary. The acceleration of heavy Martian ions may be caused by both v x B - fields and momentum exchange with the solar protons via beam instability. Magnetic signatures seen at the evening/night sector are interpreted as multiple MP crossings, whereby orbital variations may indicate a weak, inclined dipole.

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