The plasma environment of Mars: from the shocked solar wind down to the ionosphere

摘要: Abstract Despite the great number of missions devoted to exploration planet Mars (including: Mariner 4, in 1965; 2, 3, & 5, from 1971 1974; Viking landers, 1976; and Phobos 1989), actually little is known about near-Mars plasma environment its interaction with interplanetary medium. Global Surveyor has recently confirmed that no intrinsic magnetic field could be invoked stand off significantly solar wind. Nevertheless, complex localized anomalies have been reported. They signature a past fossilized rocks. It long recognized Mars–solar wind strongly depends on activity, zenith angle, altitude, as well. Unfortunately, limited space time coverages observations do not allow us characterize full nature interaction. The pressure thought balanced by ionosphere and/or upper atmosphere, analogy Venus comets. While atmosphere 10 000 times denser than near surface, densities neutral atmospheres two planets are indeed same order magnitude at altitudes 250– 450 km . In addition, mass loading ionization suprathermal atmospheric neutrals likely play role comparable comet one. Similar there evidence important inhomogeneities inside outside Martian (plasma clouds holes) it also strong axial asymmetry distribution around wake. Erosion processes produced claimed quantification budget. Frictions exerted wake planetosphere observed. should restricted outermost region might occur deep so amount volatiles lost through this phenomenon important.