Abstract Magnetic field and plasma measurements on board the spacecraft Phobos 2 during its five elliptical orbits around Mars have been analyzed. Special attention is directed on the question which role exospheric ions play at both the formation of the detected plasma boundaries and the generation of different types of plasma waves. It is suggested that the first boundary behind the bow shock, called planetopause, is a multiple-ion contact discontinuity where the lighter ions (protons) are reflected at an exospheric density ramp. The magnetic field, however, may penetrate the planetopause because of finite electron velocity through this boundary. The corresponding jump conditions are discussed. Regarding the interaction of the solar wind with the Martian exosphere, the situation is closely related to conditions at neutral gas experiments, like AMPTE. Magnetic structures at the evening part of the orbits have been interpreted as MP crossings, whereby orbital variations may indicate an inclined internal dipole.
Exospheric ion effects within the Martian magnetosphere
Advances in Space Research ; 12 , 8 ; 299-302
01.01.1992
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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