Investigating Horizontal Fields in the Martian Ionosphere Using Magnetometer Data from the MAVEN Satellite

Mars does not have a global magnetic field like the Earth does. However, due to solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) interactions, an induced magnetosphere exists. Because of this interaction with the IMF and the solar wind, induced electric currents flow through the upper atmosphere of Mars.As MAVEN dips into the upper atmosphere, the magnetometer onboard measures the induced magnetic field in the atmosphere. Using Ampere's Law, we can take these measurements of the induced magnetic field and compute electric currents in the ionosphere. We are particularly interested in horizontal magnetic fields with a dip angle of 18° or less. We investigate the geographic and local time distribution of horizontal fields and how these fields change with the IMF. By making assumptions about the gradients in the magnetic field, we will calculate the horizontal currents in the ionosphere. Analyzing these horizontal currents can give us insights into how the solar wind and IMF can affect the upper atmosphere of Mars. For example, induced electric currents can cause Joule heating in the atmosphere, which can potentially modify its neutral dynamics.