Asymmetrical Looping Magnetic Fields and Marsward Flows on the Nightside of Mars

Shibang Li, Haoyu Lu, Jinbin Cao, Jun Cui, Wing Huen Ip, James A. Wild, Xiaoxin Zhang, Nihan Chen, Yihui Song, Jianxuan Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

As the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) carried by the solar wind encounters the martian atmosphere, it tends to pile up and drape around the planet, forming looping magnetic fields and inducing marsward ion flows on the nightside. Previous statistical observations revealed asymmetrical distribution features within this morphology; however, the underlying physical mechanism remains unclear. In this study, utilizing a three-dimensional multi-fluid magnetohydrodynamic simulation model, we successfully reproduce the asymmetrical distributions of the looping magnetic fields and corresponding marsward flows on the martian nightside. Analyzing the magnetic forces resulting from the bending of the IMF over the polar area, we find that the asymmetry is guided by the orientation of the solar wind motional electric field (ESW). A higher solar wind velocity leads to enhanced magnetic forces, resulting in more tightly wrapped magnetic fields with an increased efficiency in accelerating flows as they approach closer to Mars.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2024GL109186
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume51
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 28 Jun 2024

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