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MAVEN Survey of Magnetic Flux Rope Properties in the Martian Ionosphere: Comparison With Three Types of Formation Mechanisms
Author(s) -
Bowers C. F.,
Slavin J. A.,
DiBraccio G. A.,
Poh G.,
Hara T.,
Xu S.,
Brain D. A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2021gl093296
Subject(s) - martian , physics , ionosphere , mars exploration program , flux (metallurgy) , magnetic reconnection , geophysics , magnetic field , magnetic flux , atmosphere of mars , astrobiology , interplanetary spaceflight , interplanetary magnetic field , solar wind , materials science , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Flux ropes are a magnetic field phenomenon characterized by a filament of twisted, helical magnetic field around an axial core. They form in the Martian ionosphere via three distinct mechanisms: Boundary wave instabilities (BWI), external reconnection (ER) between the interplanetary magnetic field and the crustal anomalies, and internal reconnection (IR) of the crustal anomalies themselves. We have identified 121 magnetic flux ropes (FR) from 1900 orbits using plasma and magnetic field measurements measured by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft, and separate FR into categories based on formation mechanism by analyzing electron signatures. We find evidence for flux ropes formed via BWI, ER, and IR mechanisms which comprise 9%, 34%, and 57% of our data‐set, respectively. FR formed via different mechanisms exhibit differences in location and force‐free radius, indicating the formation mechanism of a FR impacts their influence on the Martian plasma environment.