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Plasma acceleration above martian magnetic anomalies
R Lundin1, D Winningham, S Barabash
1Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Box 812, S-98 128, Kiruna, Sweden.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 18, 2006
Summary
Bright auroras on Mars are caused by energetic particles accelerating in the planet's nightside atmosphere. These conditions, similar to Earth's auroras, are linked to Mars' crustal magnetic fields.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Space Physics
- Atmospheric Science
Background:
- Auroras result from charged particles impacting planetary atmospheres.
- Auroral brightness correlates with precipitating particle energy flux.
- Mars possesses crustal magnetic fields that influence its space environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate charged particle acceleration processes on Mars' nightside.
- To determine the energy flux of precipitating particles in Martian auroras.
- To understand the relationship between Martian auroras and crustal magnetism.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Analyzer of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms experiment on the Mars Express spacecraft.
- Analyzed accelerated electrons and ions in Mars' high-altitude nightside region.
- Mapped particle acceleration regions to Martian crustal magnetization areas.
Main Results:
- Observed accelerated electrons and ions in Mars' deep nightside high-altitude region.
- Geographically mapped these regions to interface/cleft areas linked to crustal magnetization.
- Measured energy fluxes ranging from 1 to 50 milliwatts per square meter per second.
Conclusions:
- Martian discrete auroras are associated with plasma acceleration in diverging magnetic flux tubes above crustal magnetization regions.
- The complex pattern of Martian auroras is shaped by multipole magnetic field lines.
- Conditions observed are comparable to those producing bright discrete auroras on Earth.
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