MAVEN observations of the response of Mars to an interplanetary coronal mass ejection
Abstract
Coupling between the lower and upper atmosphere, combined with loss of gas from the upper atmosphere to space, likely contributed to the thin, cold, dry atmosphere of modern Mars. To help understand ongoing ion loss to space, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft made comprehensive measurements of the Mars upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the Sun and solar wind during an interplanetary coronal mass ejection impact in March 2015. Responses include changes in the bow shock and magnetosheath, formation of widespread diffuse aurora, and enhancement of pick-up ions. Observations and models both show an enhancement in escape rate of ions to space during the event. Ion loss during solar events early in Mars history may have been a major contributor to the long-term evolution of the Mars atmosphere.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 06, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1126/science.aad0210
Entities
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- A. Eriksson
- A. I. F. Stewart
- A. Nagy
- A. Stiepen
- Ali Rahmati
- B. M. Jakosky
- C. Dong
- C. M. Fowler
- C. Mazelle
- C. O. Lee
- Christopher T. Russell
- D. Andrews
- D. Baird
- D. Brain
- D. Curtis
- D. L. Mitchell
- D. Larson
- D. Lo
- D. Toublanc
- David Baker
- E. Thiemann
- F. Crary
- F. Eparvier
- F. Leblanc
- F. Lefevre
- F. Montmessin
- G. Collinson
- G. Delory
- G. Dibraccio
- G. Holsclaw
- H. Gröller
- J. Connerney
- J. Espley
- J. G. Luhmann
- J. Halekas
- J. M. Bell
- J. M. Grebowsky
- J. Mcfadden
- J.-a. Sauvaud
- Jane L. Fox
- John Clarke
- Justin Deighan
- K. Fortier
- K. Seki
- Knut Olsen
- L. Andersson
- M. Benna
- M. Combi
- M. Crismani
- M. Elrod
- M. Fillingim
- M. Mayyasi
- M. Morooka
- M. Steckiewicz
- M. Vogt
- Margaret A. Stevens
- Michael Chaffin
- N. Schneider
- P. Dunn
- P. Mahaffy
- P. Withers
- Phillip Chamberlin
- R. Dewey
- R. Ergun
- R. Jolitz
- R. Lillis
- R. Livi
- R. Modolo
- R. Tolson
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- S. England
- S. Evans
- S. Guzewich
- S. Ruhunusiri
- S. Sakai
- Sanket Jain
- Shannon Curry
- T. Cravens
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- T. Woods
- Thorsten Weber
- V. Tenishev
- W. Mcclintock
- W. Peterson
- Xiaomei Fang
- Y. Harada
- Y. J. Ma
- Y. Lee
- Y.-y. Chaufray
- Yanhao Dong
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- Boston University
- California Institute of Technology
- Nagoya University
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Center for Scientific Research
- National Institute of Aerospace
- North Carolina State University
- Swedish Institute of Space Physics
- United States Naval Research Laboratory
- University of Arizona
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