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Solar wind--induced atmospheric erosion at Mars: first results from ASPERA-3 on Mars Express

Authors :
Lundin, R.
Barabash, S.
Andersson, H.
Holmstrom, M.
Grigoriev, A.
Yamauchi, M.
Sauvaud, J.-A.
Fedorov, A.
Budnik, E.
Thocaven, J.-J.
Winningham, D.
Frahm, R.
Scherrer, J.
Sharber, J.
Asamura, K.
Hayakawa, H.
Coates, A.
Linder, D.R.
Curtis, C.
Hsieh, K.C.
Sandel, B.R.
Grande, M.
Carter, M.
Reading, D.H.
Koskinen, H.
Kallio, E.
Riihela, P.
Schmidt, W.
Sales, T.
Kozyra, J.
Krupp, N.
Woch, J.
Luhmann, J.
McKenna-Lawler, S.
Cerulli-Irelli, R.
Orsini, S.
Maggi, M.
Mura, A.
Malillo, A.
Roelof, E.
Williams, D.
Livi, S.
Brandt, P.
Wurz, P.
Bochsler, P.
Source :
Science. September 24, 2004, Vol. 305 Issue 5692, p1933, 4 p.
Publication Year :
2004

Abstract

The evolution of the martian atmosphere and its possibly substantial hydrosphere is affected by interactions with the solar wind and interplanetary plasma. Various theories have been proposed to explain the [...]<br />The Analyzer of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA) on board the Mars Express spacecraft found that solar wind plasma and accelerated ionospheric ions may be observed all the way down to the Mars Express pericenter of 270 kilometers above the dayside planetary surface. This is very deep in the ionosphere, implying direct exposure of the martian topside atmosphere to solar wind plasma forcing. The low-altitude penetration of solar wind plasma and the energization of ionospheric plasma may be due to solar wind irregularities or perturbations, to magnetic anomalies at Mars, or both.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00368075
Volume :
305
Issue :
5692
Database :
Gale General OneFile
Journal :
Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsgcl.123163077