L. Andersson

Dayside electron temperature and density profiles at Mars: First results from the MAVEN Langmuir probe and waves instrument

We present Mars electron temperature (Te) and density (ne) altitude profiles derived from the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission deep dip orbits in April 2015, as measured by the Langmuir probe instrument. These orbits had periapsides below 130u2009km in altitude at low solar zenith angles. The periapsides were above the peak in ne during this period. Using a Chapman function fit, we find that scale height and projected altitude of the ne peak are consistent with models and previous measurements. The peak electron density is slightly higher than earlier works. For the first time, we present in situ measurements of Te altitude profiles in Mars dayside in the altitude range from ~130u2009km to 500u2009km and provide a functional fit. Importantly, Te rises rapidly with altitude from ~180u2009km to ~300u2009km. These results and functional fit are important for modeling Mars ionosphere and understanding atmospheric escape.

Nonlinear electric field structures in the inner magnetosphere

Recent observations by the Van Allen Probes spacecraft have demonstrated that a variety of electric field structures and nonlinear waves frequently occur in the inner terrestrial magnetosphere, including phase space holes, kinetic field-line resonances, nonlinear whistler-mode waves, and several types of double layer. However, it is nuclear whether such structures and waves have a significant impact on the dynamics of the inner magnetosphere, including the radiation belts and ring current. To make progress toward quantifying their importance, this study statistically evaluates the correlation of such structures and waves with plasma boundaries. A strong correlation is found. These statistical results, combined with observations of electric field activity at propagating plasma boundaries, are consistent with the identification of these boundaries as the source of free energy responsible for generating the electric field structures and nonlinear waves of interest. Therefore, the ability of these structures and waves to influence plasma in the inner magnetosphere is governed by the spatial extent and dynamics of macroscopic plasma boundaries in that region.

Magnetic reconnection in the near‐Mars magnetotail: MAVEN observations

We report Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) observations of electrons, ions, and magnetic fields which provide comprehensive demonstration of magnetic reconnection signatures in the Martian magnetotail. In the near-Mars tail current sheet at XMSO∼−1.3RM, trapped electrons with two-sided loss cones were observed, indicating the closed magnetic field topology. In the closed field region, MAVEN observed Hall magnetic field signatures and Marsward bulk flows of H+, O+, and O2+ ions, which suggest the presence of X lines tailward from the spacecraft. Velocity distribution functions of the reconnection outflow ions exhibit counterstreaming beams separated along the current sheet normal, and their bulk velocities in the outflow direction inversely depend on ion mass. These characteristics are in qualitative agreement with previous multispecies kinetic simulations. The near-Mars magnetotail provides a unique environment for studying multi-ion reconnection.

Observations of plasma waves in the colliding jet region of a magnetic flux rope flanked by two active X lines at the subsolar magnetopause

We have performed a detailed analysis of plasma and wave observations in a magnetic flux rope encountered by the THEMIS-D spacecraft at the subsolar magnetopause. The extent of the flux rope was ∼270 ion skin depths in the outflow direction, and it was flanked by two active X lines producing colliding plasma jets in the flux rope core where ion heating and suprathermal electrons were observed. The colliding jet region was highly dynamic and characterized by enhanced wave power in a broad frequency range. High-frequency waves, including ion acoustic-like waves, electron holes, and whistler mode waves, were observed in a limited spatial region near the flux rope center and did not appear to be associated with the observed large-scale heating and energization. Low-frequency kinetic Alfven waves, on the other hand, were enhanced in the entire flux rope core, suggesting a possible link with the observed ion heating.

The first in situ electron temperature and density measurements of the Martian nightside ionosphere

The first in situ nightside electron density and temperature profiles at Mars are presented as functions of altitude and local time (LT) from the Langmuir Probe and Waves (LPW) instrument on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission spacecraft. LPW is able to measure densities as low as similar to 100 cm(-3), a factor of up to 10 or greater improvement over previous measurements. Above 200 km, near-vertical density profiles of a few hundred cubic centimeters were observed for almost all nightside LT, with the lowest densities and highest temperatures observed postmidnight. Density peaks of a few thousand cubic centimeters were observed below 200 km at all nightside LT. The lowest temperatures were observed below 180 km and approach the neutral atmospheric temperature. One-dimensional modeling demonstrates that precipitating electrons were able to sustain the observed nightside ionospheric densities below 200 km.

Altitude dependence of nightside Martian suprathermal electron depletions as revealed by MAVEN observations

The MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) spacecraft is providing new detailed observations of the Martian ionosphere thanks to its unique orbital coverage and instrument suite. During most periapsis passages on the nightside ionosphere suprathermal electron depletions were detected. A simple criterion was implemented to identify the 1742 depletions observed from 16 November 2014 to 28 February 2015. A statistical analysis reveals that the main ion and electron populations within the depletions are surprisingly constant in time and altitude. Absorption by CO2 is the main loss process for suprathermal electrons, and electrons that strongly peaked around 6 eV are resulting from this interaction. The observation of depletions appears however highly dependent on altitude. Depletions are mainly located above strong crustal magnetic sources above 170 km, whereas the depletions observed for the first time below 170 km are globally scattered onto the Martian surface with no particular dependence on crustal fields.

Neutral density response to solar flares at Mars

First direct observations of heating of the Mars neutral atmosphere by solar flares are presented in this study. Solar flares were detected using the Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft, and upper atmospheric temperature enhancements were determined by changes in the density scale height of Argon (Ar) made by the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer also on board MAVEN. We analyzed 14 M-class or greater flares that occurred during the early part of the MAVEN mission in addition to a 30 day period of high flare activity during May 2015. We report that the Mars dayside upper atmosphere shows significant heating near the flare soft X-ray peak; and it responds and recovers rapidly to heating from M-class or larger flares. In addition, we present atmospheric density versus altitude profiles that were taken near the soft X-ray peak of two flares.

Ionospheric plasma density variations observed at Mars by MAVEN/LPW

We report on initial observations made by the Langmuir Probe and Waves relaxation sounding experiment on board the NASA Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. These measurements yield the ionospheric thermal plasma density, and we use these data here for an initial survey of its variability. Studying orbit-to-orbit variations, we show that the relative variability of the ionospheric plasma density is lowest at low altitudes near the photochemical peak, steadily increases toward higher altitudes and sharply increases as the spacecraft crosses the terminator and moves into the nightside. Finally, despite the small volume of data currently available, we show that a clear signature of the influence of crustal magnetic fields on the thermal plasma density fluctuations is visible. Such results are consistent with previously reported remote measurements made at higher altitudes, but crucially, here we sample a new span of altitudes between similar to 130 and similar to 300 km using in situ techniques.

Enhanced O2+ loss at Mars due to an ambipolar electric field from electron heating

Recent results from the MAVEN Langmuir Probe and Waves instrument suggest higher than predicted electron temperatures (T-e) in Mars dayside ionosphere above similar to 180km in altitude. Correspon ...

MAVEN observations of magnetic flux ropes with a strong field amplitude in the Martian magnetosheath during the ICME passage on 8 March 2015

We present initial results of strong field amplitude flux ropes observed by Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission around Mars during the interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) passage on 8 March 2015. The observed durations were shorter than 5xa0s and the magnetic field magnitudes peaked above 80xa0nT, which is a few times stronger than those usually seen in the magnetosheath barrier. These are the first unique observations that MAVEN detected such flux ropes with a strong field at high altitudes (>5000xa0km). Across these structures, MAVEN coincidentally measured planetary heavy ions with energies higher than a few keV. The spatial properties inferred from the Grad-Shafranov equation suggest that the speed of the structure can be estimated at least an order of magnitude faster than those previously reported quiet-time counterparts. Hence, the space weather event like the ICME passage can be responsible for generating the observed strong field, fast-traveling flux ropes.