Derivation of electron densities from differential potential measurements upstream and downstream of the bow shock and in the magnetosphere of Mars

摘要: A new technique is developed where the potential difference between a conductive spacecraft at floating and an electric field probe, negatively biased in relation to spacecraft, with current of 50 nA, used determine electron densities range 1-70 cm{sup {minus}3}. The density can be obtained acceptable accuracy without any knowledge energy, provided latter does not exceed 100 eV. This has been applied Phobos 2 data characteristic solar wind near Mars, foot bow shock, planetosheath, top ionosphere. In region, measurements have also made using Langmuir probe on board spacecraft. magnetic barrier, low plasma density, observed planetosheath Pronounced increases are flanks tail, some correlated anticorrelated variations strength.