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Detection of magnetospheric ion drift patterns at Mars

Author

Listed:
  • Chi Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Boston University)

  • Hans Nilsson

    (Swedish Institute of Space Physics)

  • Yusuke Ebihara

    (Kyoto University)

  • Masatoshi Yamauchi

    (Swedish Institute of Space Physics)

  • Moa Persson

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Zhaojin Rong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jun Zhong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chuanfei Dong

    (Boston University)

  • Yuxi Chen

    (Boston University)

  • Xuzhi Zhou

    (Peking University)

  • Yixin Sun

    (Peking University)

  • Yuki Harada

    (Kyoto University)

  • Jasper Halekas

    (University of Iowa)

  • Shaosui Xu

    (University of California, Berkeley)

  • Yoshifumi Futaana

    (Swedish Institute of Space Physics)

  • Zhen Shi

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chongjing Yuan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaotong Yun

    (Wuhan University)

  • Song Fu

    (Wuhan University)

  • Jiawei Gao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Mats Holmström

    (Swedish Institute of Space Physics)

  • Yong Wei

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Stas Barabash

    (Swedish Institute of Space Physics)

Abstract

Mars lacks a global magnetic field, and instead possesses small-scale crustal magnetic fields, making its magnetic environment fundamentally different from intrinsic magnetospheres like those of Earth or Saturn. Here we report the discovery of magnetospheric ion drift patterns, typical of intrinsic magnetospheres, at Mars using measurements from Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission. Specifically, we observe wedge-like dispersion structures of hydrogen ions exhibiting butterfly-shaped distributions (pitch angle peaks at 22.5°−45° and 135°−157.5°) within the Martian crustal fields, a feature previously observed only in planetary-scale intrinsic magnetospheres. These dispersed structures are the results of drift motions that fundamentally resemble those observed in intrinsic magnetospheres. Our findings indicate that the Martian magnetosphere embodies an intermediate case where both the unmagnetized and magnetized ion behaviors could be observed because of the wide range of strengths and spatial scales of the crustal magnetic fields around Mars.

Suggested Citation

  • Chi Zhang & Hans Nilsson & Yusuke Ebihara & Masatoshi Yamauchi & Moa Persson & Zhaojin Rong & Jun Zhong & Chuanfei Dong & Yuxi Chen & Xuzhi Zhou & Yixin Sun & Yuki Harada & Jasper Halekas & Shaosui Xu, 2023. "Detection of magnetospheric ion drift patterns at Mars," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-42630-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42630-7
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