Title: Mapping crustal magnetic fields at Mars using electron reflectometry

Author(s): Lillis RJ, Mitchell DL, Lin RP, Connerney JEP, Acuna MH

Source: GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS 31 (15): Art. No. L15702 AUG 7 2004

Document Type: Article

Language: English

Abstract: We present a kinetic model for the interaction of electrons precipitating along magnetic field lines into Mars' atmosphere and develop a technique for detecting crustal magnetic fields, which act as magnetic mirrors, reflecting some of the incident electrons back to spacecraft altitudes. We present an initial map covering 20% of the planet, which shows the topology of magnetic sources along the dichotomy boundary and reveals new magnetic sources in the northern lowlands, implying the existence of preserved Noachian crust beneath at least some regions of the apparently young plains.

KeyWords Plus: SOLAR-WIND; LUNAR PROSPECTOR; IMPACT

Addresses: Lillis RJ (reprint author), Univ Calif Berkeley, Space Sci Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
Univ Calif Berkeley, Space Sci Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
NASA, Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA
Univ Calif Berkeley, Dept Phys, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA

E-mail Addresses: rlillis@ssl.berkeley.edu

Publisher: AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION, 2000 FLORIDA AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20009 USA

Subject Category: GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

IDS Number: 846SD