Observations of kinematic relaxation at very-low Mach number inner planet bow shocks during ICMEs

Previous research has found very-low Mach number quasi-perpendicular bow shocks occur at Venus during Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs). These shocks occur during the magnetic cloud phase of the ICME when the proton density and temperature are low for the solar wind, while the magnetic field magnitude remains relatively large. This leads to an abnormally high Alfven velocity, resulting in the observed very-low Mach number shocks. Previous research has suggested that the dominant downstream energy redistribution process at these shocks is kinematic collisionless relaxation of the ion distribution. Here we extend these observations to other inner planets, in particular the Earth and use magnetic field and plasma data to evaluate the role that the different ion species play in the process.