Title: Initial
observations of low-frequency magnetic fluctuations in the Martian
ionosphere
Source: JOURNAL
OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS 111 (E6): Art. No. E06S22 JUN 22 2006
Document Type: Article
Language: English
Abstract: [
1] Using Mars Global Surveyor magnetometer/electron reflectometer
measurements, we report initial observations of low-frequency magnetic
fluctuations in the Martian ionosphere. We find that the waves have
dominant frequencies between 0.01 and 1 Hz and are observed both close
to and far from crustal magnetic fields. These waves are possibly
related to magnetosonic perturbations produced at higher altitudes in
the Mars - solar wind interaction. These fluctuations have implications
for understanding the physics of the ionosphere and potentially could
also help characterize electromagnetically active atmospheric phenomena
such as dust devils and dust storms. The presence of such fluctuations
in the Martian ionosphere is also an indication of the plausibility of
using low-frequency electromagnetic methods, such as the
magnetotelluric technique, to probe the deep subsurface. One potential
result of such an investigation would be the identification of any
subsurface liquid water that might be present within the first several
hundred meters to the first few kilometers of the subsurface.
KeyWords Plus: MARS
GLOBAL SURVEYOR; SOLAR-WIND; PLASMA ENVIRONMENT; FIELD; WAVES; BOUNDARY
Addresses: Espley
JR (reprint author), NASA, Goddard Space Flight Ctr, MS 695-0,
Greenbelt, MD 20701 USA
Rice Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Houston, TX 77005 USA
Univ Calif Berkeley, Space Sci Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
Publisher: AMER
GEOPHYSICAL UNION, 2000 FLORIDA AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20009 USA
Subject Category: GEOCHEMISTRY
& GEOPHYSICS
IDS Number: 057MT
ISSN: 0148-0227
