Mars’ ionopause: A game of pressures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Sanchez-Cano ◽  
Clara Narvaez ◽  
Mark Lester ◽  
Michael Mendillo ◽  
Majd Mayyasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Tangential Discontinuity ◽  
Pressure Balance ◽  
Thermal Pressure ◽  
Plasma Density Profile

<p>The ionopause is a tangential discontinuity in the ionospheric thermal plasma density profile that marks the upper boundary of the ionosphere for unmagnetized planets. This interface is formed by a balance of pressures, as the ionopause is the region where the total pressure of the ionosphere (ionospheric thermal pressure plus magnetic pressure) balances the solar wind ram pressure. Since only Venus and Mars have no global “dipole” magnetic fields, ionopauses are unique to those planets. For Venus, the ionopause formation is well characterized because the thermal pressure of the ionosphere is usually larger than the solar wind dynamic pressure. For Mars, however, the maximum thermal pressure of the ionosphere is usually insufficient to balance the total pressure in the overlying magnetic pileup boundary. Therefore, the Martian ionopause is not always formed, and when it does, it is located at a large range of altitudes, varies rapidly and is highly structured. In this study, we characterise the Martian ionopause formation from the point of view of the thermal, magnetic and dynamic pressure balance. The objective of this paper is to assess under which circumstances the Martian ionopause is formed, both over and far from crustal magnetic fields. We focus on three MAVEN deep dip campaigns that occurred on the dayside of Mars, and we utilize several multi-plasma and magnetic field in-situ observations from the MAVEN mission, as well as solar wind plasma observations from the Mars Express mission.</p>

Mars’ ionopause characterization based on MAVEN and Mars Express observations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Sanchez-Cano ◽  
Clara Narvaez ◽  
Mark Lester ◽  
Michael Mendillo ◽  
Majd Mayyasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Thermal Pressure ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

<p>The ionopause is a tangential discontinuity in the ionospheric thermal plasma density profile that marks the upper boundary of the ionosphere for unmagnetized planets. Since only Venus and Mars have no global “dipole” magnetic fields, ionopauses are unique to those planets. For Venus, the ionopause formation is well characterized because the thermal pressure of the ionosphere is usually larger than the solar wind dynamic pressure. For Mars, however, the maximum thermal pressure of the ionosphere is usually insufficient to balance the total pressure in the overlying magnetic pileup boundary. Therefore, the Martian ionopause is not always formed, and when it does, it is highly structured and is located at different altitudes. In this study, we characterise the Martian ionopause formation from the point of view of the electron density and electron temperature, as well as the thermal, magnetic and dynamic pressures. The objective is to investigate under which circumstances the Martian ionopause is formed, both over and far from crustal magnetic fields, and compare to the Venus’ case. We use several multi-plasma and magnetic field in-situ observations from the three deep dip campaigns of the MAVEN mission that occurred on the dayside of Mars (near subsolar point), as well as in-situ solar wind plasma observations from the Mars Express mission. We find that that 36% of the electron density profiles over strong crustal magnetic field regions had an ionopause event in contrast to the 54% of electron density profiles far from strong crustal magnetic field regions. We also find that the topside ionosphere is typically magnetized at mostly all altitudes. The ionopause, if formed, occurs where the total ionospheric pressure (magnetic+thermal) equals the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure.</p>

scholarly journals A Survey of large, rapid solar wind dynamic pressure changes observed by Interball-1 and IMP 8

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Dalin ◽  
G. N. Zastenker ◽  
K. I. Paularena ◽  
J. D. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Pressure Balance ◽  
Large Pressure ◽  
Interplanetary Physics ◽  
Statistical Survey ◽  
Pressure Changes ◽  
Short Time

Abstract. The high time-resolution solar wind ion flux measurements from Interball-1 and IMP 8 show about one hundred large, rapid dynamic the pressure changes each year. We cataloged these events by the size and transition time of the pressure changes and present a statistical survey of these events. We find that the majority of the pressure changes of more than 1–2 nPa occur over a very short time period, on the order of a few minutes or less. Most of the large pressure changes not associated with shocks are due solely to density changes with speed remaining constant. We find that pressure balance between the thermal and magnetic pressures is not maintained across most of these events, so these events are still evolving.Key words. Interplanetary physics (solar wind plasma)

scholarly journals Extremely intense (SML ≤–2500 nT) substorms: isolated events that are externally triggered?

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 519-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. T. Tsurutani ◽  
R. Hajra ◽  
E. Echer ◽  
J. W. Gjerloev
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetic Storm ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Magnetic Storms ◽  
Input Energy ◽  
Stored Energy ◽  
Ionospheric Currents ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Fields ◽  
Very High

Abstract. We examine particularly intense substorms (SML ≤–2500 nT), hereafter called "supersubstorms" or SSS events, to identify their nature and their magnetic storm dependences. It is found that these intense substorms are typically isolated events and are only loosely related to magnetic storms. SSS events can occur during super (Dst ≤–250 nT) and intense (−100 nT ≥ Dst >–250) magnetic storms. SSS events can also occur during nonstorm (Dst ≥–50 nT) intervals. SSSs are important because the strongest ionospheric currents will flow during these events, potentially causing power outages on Earth. Several SSS examples are shown. SSS events appear to be externally triggered by small regions of very high density (~30 to 50 cm−3) solar wind plasma parcels (PPs) impinging upon the magnetosphere. Precursor southward interplanetary magnetic fields are detected prior to the PPs hitting the magnetosphere. Our hypothesis is that these southward fields input energy into the magnetosphere/magnetotail and the PPs trigger the release of the stored energy.

scholarly journals Impact of solar wind depression on the dayside magnetosphere under northward interplanetary magnetic field

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Baraka ◽  
L. Ben-Jaffel
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Outer Boundary ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Tail Region ◽  
Dayside Magnetopause

Abstract. We present a follow up study of the sensitivity of the Earth's magnetosphere to solar wind activity using a particles-in-cell model (Baraka and Ben Jaffel, 2007), but here during northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). The formation of the magnetospheric cavity and its elongation around the planet is obtained with the classical structure of a magnetosphere with parallel lobes. An impulsive disturbance is then applied to the system by changing the bulk velocity of the solar wind to simulate a decrease in the solar wind dynamic pressure followed by its recovery. In response to the imposed drop in the solar wind velocity, a gap (abrupt depression) in the incoming solar wind plasma appears moving toward the Earth. The gap's size is a ~15 RE and is comparable to the sizes previously obtained for both Bz<0 and Bz=0. During the initial phase of the disturbance along the x-axis, the dayside magnetopause (MP) expands slower than the previous cases of IMF orientations as a result of the abrupt depression. The size of the MP expands nonlinearly due to strengthening of its outer boundary by the northward IMF. Also, during the initial 100 Δt, the MP shrank down from 13.3 RE to ~9.2 RE before it started expanding, a phenomenon that was also observed for southern IMF conditions but not during the no IMF case. As soon as they felt the solar wind depression, cusps widened at high altitude while dragged in an upright position. For the field's topology, the reconnection between magnetospheric and magnetosheath fields is clearly observed in both the northward and southward cusps areas. Also, the tail region in the northward IMF condition is more confined, in contrast to the fishtail-shape obtained in the southward IMF case. An X-point is formed in the tail at ~110 RE compared to ~103 RE and ~80 RE for Bz=0 and Bz<0, respectively. Our findings are consistent with existing reports from many space observatories (Cluster, Geotail, Themis, etc.) for which predictions are proposed to test furthermore our simulation technique.

Degenerate induced magnetospheres

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stas Barabash ◽  
Andrii Voshchepynets ◽  
Mats Holmström ◽  
Futaana Yoshifumi ◽  
Robin Ramstad
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Stellar Winds ◽  
Ionospheric Currents ◽  
Magnetic Barrier ◽  
Atmospheric Escape ◽  
The Subject

&lt;p&gt;Induced magnetospheres of non-magnetized atmospheric bodies like Mars and Venus are formed by magnetic fields of ionospheric currents induced by the convective electric field E = - V x B/c of the solar wind. The induced magnetic fields create a magnetic barrier which forms a void of the solar wind plasma, an induced magnetosphere. But what happens when the interplanetary magnetic field is mostly radial and the convective field E &amp;#8776; 0? Do a magnetic barrier and solar wind void form? If yes, how such a degenerate induced magnetosphere work? The question is directly related to the problem of the atmospheric escape due to the interaction with the solar and stellar winds. The radial interplanetary magnetic field in the inner solar system is typical for the ancient Sun conditions and exoplanets on near-star orbits. Also, the radial interplanetary field may provide stronger coupling of the near-planet environment with the solar/stellar winds and thus effectively channels the solar/stellar wind energy to the ionospheric ions. We review the current works on the subject, show examples of degenerate induced magnetospheres of Mars and Venus from Mars Express, Venus Express, and MAVEN measurements and hybrid simulations, discuss physics of degenerate induced magnetospheres, and impact of such configurations on the escape processes.&lt;/p&gt;

Solar wind proton precipitation to the surface of Mercury

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahab Fatemi ◽  
Andrew R. Poppe ◽  
Stas Barabash
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Proton ◽  
Entire Surface ◽  
The North ◽  
Proton Precipitation ◽  
Neutral Sodium ◽  
The Imf

&lt;p&gt;We examine the effects of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation and solar wind dynamic pressure on the solar wind proton precipitation to the surface of Mercury. We use the Amitis model, a three-dimensional GPU-based hybrid model of plasma (particle ions and fluid electrons), and explain a method we found necessary to accurately calculate plasma precipitation to the surface of Mercury through the highly dynamic Hermean magnetosphere. We use our model to explain ground-based telescope observations of Mercury's neutral sodium exosphere, and compare our simulation results with MESSENGER observations. For the typical solar wind dynamic pressure near the orbit of Mercury (i.e., ~7-8 nPa) our model shows a high solar wind proton flux precipitates through the magnetospheric cusps to the high latitudes on both hemispheres on the dayside with a higher precipitation rate to the southern hemisphere compared to the north, which is associated with the northward displacement of Mercury's intrinsic magnetic dipole. We show that this two peak pattern, which is also a common feature observed for neutral sodium exosphere, is controlled by the radial component (B&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt;) of the IMF and not the B&lt;sub&gt;z&lt;/sub&gt; component. Our model also suggests that the southward IMF and its associated magnetic reconnection do not play a major role in controlling plasma precipitation to the surface of Mercury through the magnetospheric cusps, in agreement with MESSENGER observations that show that, unlike the Earth, there is almost no dependence between the IMF angle and magnetic reconnection rate at Mercury. For the typical solar wind dynamic pressure, our model suggests that the solar wind proton precipitation through the cusps is longitudinally centered near noon with ~11&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt; latitudinal extent in the north and ~21&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt; latitudinal extent in the south, which is consistent with MESSENGER observations. We found an anti-correlation in the incidence area on the surface and the incidence particle rate between the northern and southern cusp precipitation such that the total area and the total rate through both of the cusps remain constant and independent of the IMF orientation. We also show that the solar wind proton incidence rate to the entire surface of Mercury is higher when the IMF has a northward component and nearly half of the incidence flux impacts the low latitudes on the nightside. During extreme solar events (e.g., Coronal Mass Ejections) a large area on the dayside surface of Mercury is exposed to the solar wind plasma, especially in the southern hemisphere. Our model suggests that over 70 nPa solar wind dynamic pressure is required for the entire surface of Mercury to be exposed to the solar wind plasma.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Saturation of the magnetosphere during superstorms: new results from the magnetogram inversion technique

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Владимир Мишин ◽  
Vladimir Mishin ◽  
Юрий Караваев ◽  
Yuriy Karavaev
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Magnetic Clouds ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Thermal Pressure ◽  
Dayside Magnetopause ◽  
Using Data

Using data on three superstorms, we study new features of the saturation of the polar cap area when the solar wind (SW) increases. The polar cap saturation is shown to occur when the SW dynamic pressure and southward vertical (IMF) component rise. The saturation is realized not only during the passage of interplanetary magnetic clouds, but also at significant enhancement of SW density when the SW thermal pressure is comparable with the pressure of the interplanetary magnetic field. We assume that under such conditions the saturation is caused not only by a decrease in the efficiency of reconnection at the dayside magnetopause, but mainly by finite magnetosphere compressibility — stopping the magnetopause compression due to a rapid earthward growth of the geomagnetic field, i.e. the inner magnetospheric structure of the geomagnetic field. We have found signs of saturation depending on the northward IMF component. We assume that the IMF-dependent saturation exists for both signs of its vertical component due to an increase in the total pressure in the magnetosheath. Moreover, when penetrating into the magnetosphere, the southward IMF component reduces the geomagnetic field and thereby causes additional compression of the magnetopause and, accordingly, an increase in the saturation level of the polar cap area.

Is the relation between the solar wind dynamic pressure and the magnetopause standoff distance so simple?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey Samsonov ◽  
Graziella Branduardi-Raymont
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Simple Relation ◽  
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Standoff Distance ◽  
Solar Wind Density ◽  
Pressure Balance ◽  
Velocity Increase ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Parameter Density

&lt;p&gt;The relation between the solar wind dynamic pressure and magnetopause standoff distance is usually supposed to be R&lt;sub&gt;SUB&lt;/sub&gt;~P&lt;sub&gt;d&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;-1/N&lt;/sup&gt;. The simple pressure balance condition gives N=6, however N varies in empirical magnetopause models from 4.8 to 7.7. Using several MHD models, we simulate the magnetospheric response to increases in the dynamic pressure by varying separately the solar wind density or the velocity. We obtain different values of N depending on which parameter, density or velocity, has been varied and for which IMF orientation. The changes in the standoff distance are smaller (higher N) for a density increase and greater (smaller N) for a velocity increase for southward IMF. We explain this result by enhancement of the Region 1 current that moves the magnetopause closer to the Earth for a high solar wind velocity. We suggest for developers of new empirical magnetopause models in the future to replace the simple relation between R&lt;sub&gt;SUB&lt;/sub&gt; and P&lt;sub&gt;d&lt;/sub&gt; with a fixed N by a more complicated relation which would separate inputs in the dynamic pressure from the density and velocity taking into account the IMF orientation.&lt;/p&gt;

Long-term properties of the solar wind and their relation to solar cycles

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Salohub ◽  
Jana Šafránkova ◽  
Zdeněk Němeček ◽  
Lubomír Přech ◽  
Tereza Ďurovcová
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Speed ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Wind Spacecraft ◽  
Slow Wind ◽  
Density Dynamic

&lt;p&gt;The solar wind variations during particular solar cycles have been described in many previous studies including the solar cycle 23 that was characterized by a long, deep, and very complex solar minimum with very low values of many solar wind parameters.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Using statistical methods, we analyzed 25 years of Wind spacecraft measurements with motivation to reveal differences and similarities in magnetic field components and solar wind plasma parameters in individual solar cycles. We tracked the changes of the solar magnetic field strength, and components, solar wind speed, density, dynamic pressure, temperature, and composition). Except quiet solar wind conditions during solar minima and maxima, we also selected significant discontinuities (ICME and CIRs) and investigated their influence on profiles of average parameters. For this, we followed other quantities connected with their presence as their average front normals, regions of transitions between high and slow wind streams, special interplanetary magnetic field orientations, etc.). We discuss a behavior of investigated parameters over solar cycles as well as on shorter time scales (in the order of days and hours).&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Latitudinal distribution of the solar wind properties in the low- and high-pressure regimes: Wind observations

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 852-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lacombe ◽  
C. Salem ◽  
A. Mangeney ◽  
J.-L. Steinberg ◽  
M. Maksimovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Heliospheric Current Sheet ◽  
Thermal Pressure ◽  
Plasma Properties ◽  
Proton Temperature

Abstract. The solar wind properties depend on λ, the heliomagnetic latitude with respect to the heliospheric current sheet (HCS), more than on the heliographic latitude. We analyse the wind properties observed by Wind at 1 AU during about 2.5 solar rotations in 1995, a period close to the last minimum of solar activity. To determine λ, we use a model of the HCS which we fit to the magnetic sector boundary crossings observed by Wind. We find that the solar wind properties mainly depend on the modulus |λ|. But they also depend on a local parameter, the total pressure (magnetic pressure plus electron and proton thermal pressure). Furthermore, whatever the total pressure, we observe that the plasma properties also depend on the time: the latitudinal gradients of the wind speed and of the proton temperature are not the same before and after the closest HCS crossing. This is a consequence of the dynamical stream interactions. In the low pressure wind, at low |λ|, we find a clear maximum of the density, a clear minimum of the wind speed and of the proton temperature, a weak minimum of the average magnetic field strength, a weak maximum of the average thermal pressure, and a weak maximum of the average β factor. This overdense sheet is embedded in a density halo. The latitudinal thickness is about 5° for the overdense sheet, and 20° for the density halo. The HCS is thus wrapped in an overdense sheet surrounded by a halo, even in the non-compressed solar wind. In the high-pressure wind, the plasma properties are less well ordered as functions of the latitude than in the low-pressure wind; the minimum of the average speed is seen before the HCS crossing. The latitudinal thickness of the high-pressure region is about 20°. Our observations are qualitatively consistent with the numerical model of Pizzo for the deformation of the heliospheric current sheet and plasma sheet.Key words: Interplanetary physics (solar wind plasma)

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