Abstract
The absorption of the solar wind by the martian atmosphere via charge exchange is investigated for three processes: H++O → H+O+, H++H → H+H+ and He+++He → He++He+. It is shown that the first process can lead to a significant depletion of the solar wind in a small region above the subsolar space, while the effect of the other two processes is of minor importance. Further we find that He+ ions created by charge exchange play no role in the total He+ outflow at Mars. Finally the flux of O+ ions is considered and compared with Phobos-2 measurements.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 143-147 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Advances in Space Research |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1997 |