The Martian ionospheric loss rates versus solar EUV flux
Abstract
One of the outstanding questions of Martian aeronomy is the loss rate of atmospheric ions to the solar wind. The outer atmosphere is exposed to the solar wind convection electric field and thus it is expected, and confirmed by observations, that Mars loses its outer ionosphere due to ion pickup. The importance of this loss process relative to other loss processes is however undetermined. For example, oxygen is lost by photochemical escape and pickup ion sputtering in addition to direct ion pickup. The absolute and relative rates are further variable since they are determined bysolar extreme ultraviolet flux as well as solar wind parameters. Using global hybrid simulations of the solar wind interaction with Mars, including an oxygen ionosphere and exosphere, we investigate the dependence of the pickup ion loss rate on solar EUV and solar wind conditions including the interplanetary magnetic field direction. Strategies and sensitivities to Mars ionospheric models will also be discussed within the context of numerical issues to be addressed. This research is ongoing and will report comparisons to theoretical by other researchers. In addition, studies including issues concerning resolution of the simulations will be presented.
- Publication:
-
AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004AGUSMSM44A..02B
- Keywords:
-
- 2756 Planetary magnetospheres (5443;
- 5737;
- 6030);
- 2780 Solar wind interactions with unmagnetized bodies;
- 6225 Mars