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Detailed Reference Information |
Zhang, T.L., Schwingenschuh, K., Lichtenegger, H., Riedler, W., Russell, C.T. and Luhmann, J.G. (1991). Interplanetary magnetic field control of the Mars bow shock: Evidence for Venuslike interaction. Journal of Geophysical Research 96: doi: 10.1029/91JA01099. issn: 0148-0227. |
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The Mars bow shock location and shape have been determined by examining the PHOBOS spacecraft magnetometer data. Observations show that the position of the terminator bow shock varies with interplanetary magnetic field orientation in the same way as at Venus. The shock is farthest from Mars in the direction of the interplanetary electric field, consistent with the idea that mass loading plays an important role in the solar wind interaction with Mars. We also find that the shock cross section at the terminator plane is asymmetric and is controlled by the interplanetary magnetic field as expected from the asymmetric propagation velocity of the fast magnetosonic wave. Comparing with earlier mission data, we show that the Mars shock location varies with solar activity. The shock is farther from Mars during solar maximum. Thus the solar wind interaction with Mars appears to be Venuslike, with a magnetic moment too small to affect significantly the solar wind interaction. ¿American Geophysical Union 1991 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Solar wind interactions with unmagnetized bodies, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets and Satellites, Interactions with particles and fields, Space Plasma Physics, Shock waves |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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