Publication Date:
2019-07-11
Description:
We report for the first time, simultaneous ion, electron, magnetic field vector and electric field wave measurements made possible by Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, during ion energy flux spikes in lowaltitude radial crustal magnetic fields on the Mars dayside. Observations show energetic electrons and ions (E 〉 25 eV) precipitating on magnetic field lines assumed as closed. Ions (E 〈 1.4 keV) display broad velocity distributions toward Mars, showing ions flowing from higher altitude possibly after magnetic reconnection or loss cone filling from pitch angle scattering effects. Precipitating ions (E 〈 1.4 keV) show nonadiabatic features depending on ion mass and energy and returning ions (E 〈 1.4 keV) show evidence of conserving the first adiabatic invariant in a mirror field. We observe magnetic field perturbations up to 60 nT, electric field wave amplitudes up to 38 mV/m, and brief periods of peaked electron spectra. At 175 km and at times Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN is below the mirroring altitude of electrons, we observe mirroring and transverse heating of H+ ions alongside increased electric field wave amplitude fluctuations. It suggests field aligned potential drops result from different mirror altitudes of ions and electrons. Ions E 〉 1.4 keV (O+) occur as injected accelerated ion beams and ions heated after energization or deceleration. Energy dispersed kiloelectronvolt ions suggest a selection effect in radial magnetic fields for lowerenergy Marsward ions, compared to reflection of higherenergy antiSunward ions. Precipitating kiloelectronvolt ions show energy deposition rates of 3.6 10(exp -6) W/sq m and sputtering escape rates from precipitating O+ ions of 1.5 10(exp 5)/(sq cm.s) and 2.1 10(exp 6)/(sq cm.s) are calculated.
Keywords:
Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration
Type:
GSFC-E-DAA-TN68737
,
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics (e-ISSN 2169-9402); 124; 2; 1239-1261
Format:
text
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