Effects of the crustal magnetic fields on the Martian atmospheric ion escape rate

• Eight years (2007–2015) of ion flux measurements from Mars Express are used to statisticallyinvestigate the influence of the Martian magnetic crustal fields on the atmospheric ion escape rate.We combine all Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms/Ion Mass Analyzer (ASPERA-3/IMA)measurements taken during nominal upstream solar wind and solar extreme ultraviolet conditions tocompute global average ion distribution functions, individually for the north/south hemispheres and forvarying solar zenith angles (SZAs) of the strongest crustal magnetic field. Escape rates are subsequentlycalculated from each of the average distribution functions. The maximum escape rate (4.2 ± 1.2) × 1024 s−1 is found for SZA = 60∘–80∘, while the minimum escape rate (1.7±0.6)×1024 s−1 is found for SZA = 28∘–60∘,showing that the dayside orientation of the crustal fields significantly affects the global escape rate (p=97%). However, averaged over time, independent of SZA, we find no statistically significant difference inthe escape rates from the two hemispheres (escape from southern hemisphere 46% ± 18% of global rate).

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)