MAVEN-STATIC observations of ion temperature and initial ion
acceleration in the Martian ionosphere
Abstract
Though ion escape to space is an important mechanism for atmospheric
loss on Mars, the processes that accelerate ions to escape velocity have
not been fully identified and quantified. The lowest altitude where
suprathermal planetary ions appear is an important source region for ion
escape, where electromagnetic forces and waves begin to energize ions to
escape velocity. We have conducted a statistical study of O2+
distribution functions measured by Mars Atmosphere and Volatile
EvolutioN SupraThermal And Thermal Ion Composition (MAVEN-STATIC) in
order to identify the region where suprathermal tails appear. At all
solar zenith angles, suprathermal ions appear just above the exobase
region, where the mean free path between collisions exceeds the neutral
gas scale height. O2+ temperature profiles are also presented. We also
investigate the effects of crustal magnetism, finding that crustal
fields protect planetary plasma on the dayside and enhance energization
on the nightside.