Asymmetries in the Martian system
Abstract
The induced Martian magnetosphere is a particularly complex system due to different dynamic properties that are part of the system. The lack of a global dynamo and the presence of a relatively tenuous atmosphere causes the induced magnetosphere to be significantly smaller than a formal magnetosphere and the boundaries are largely affected by changes in the upstream conditions. In addition, the presence of strong localized magnetic fields in the southern hemisphere, commonly referred to as crustal fields, adds an extra level of complexity, with changes in the pressure balance through changes in the local magnetic pressure and localized reconnection constantly changing the magnetic topology of the induced magnetosphere. This introduces a strong north/south asymmetry in the system that affects the location of different boundaries as well as the ionospheric escape, by changing the altitude of the main ionospheric peak. The dynamical heating of the atmosphere by the solar radiation also induces asymmetries in the atmospheric densities, which in turn affect the ion production and subsequent ionospheric escape as well. These can be north/south asymmetries (depending on the season) but also dawn/dusk, creating a particular escape pattern that can be observed in simulations under controlled conditions. We present results from a coupled set of models with changing parameters based on a well-defined parameter space in order to study their effect on the asymmetries present in the Martian system. These parameters include interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation, solar wind dynamics pressure, atmospheric dynamics and location of the crustal fields.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMSM33D3229R
- Keywords:
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- 2740 Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 2756 Planetary magnetospheres;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 5435 Ionospheres;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS;
- 5443 Magnetospheres;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS