Abstract There is evidence of a strong influence of an atmospheric (cometary) interaction on the Martian tail formation: small total magnetic flux in the tail, the existence of plasma flow of apparently planetary origin, interplanetary magnetic field control of magnetic field orientation in the tail and other evidence. At the same time the large radius of the Martian magnetotail (about 2 planetary radii) can be considered as a strong evidence for the existence of a planetary magnetic field. Plasma and magnetic field properties in the Martian tail are in many respects similar to the ones observed in the tail of Venus. The limited amount of near-Mars measurements leads to some reservations in coming to definite conclusions. A combined magnetosphere of Mars is suggested that consists of two polar-tied magnetic tubes connected to the tail and an equatorial Venus-type interaction region in-between.
The Martian magnetotail
Advances in Space Research ; 6 , 1 ; 301-314
1986-01-01
14 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
NTRS | 1986
|Elsevier | 1986
|NTRS | 1986
|Elsevier | 1986
|CHAPTER 6 -- MAGNETOTAIL - Electron Fluxes in the Magnetotail: Statistical Study
Online Contents | 2000
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