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Upstream waves at Mars: Phobos observations
Author(s) -
Russell C. T.,
Luhmann J. G.,
Schwingenschuh K.,
Riedler W.,
Yeroshenko Ye.
Publication year - 1990
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/gl017i006p00897
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , bow shock (aerodynamics) , physics , solar wind , bow wave , shock wave , exosphere , geophysics , turbulence , astrobiology , spacecraft , astronomy , magnetic field , geology , ion , meteorology , mechanics , quantum mechanics
The region upstream from the Mars subsolar bow shock is surveyed for the presence of MHD wave phenomena using the high temporal resolution data from the MAGMA magnetometer. Strong turbulence is observed when the magnetic field is connected to the Mars bow shock in such a way as to allow diffuse ions to reach the spacecraft. On 2 occasions this turbulence occurred upon crossing the Phobos orbit. Also weak, ∼0.15 nT, waves are observed at the proton gyro frequency. These waves are left‐hand elliptically polarized and may be associated with the pick‐up of protons from the Mars hydrogen exosphere.