Evidence of electron impact ionization in the magnetic pileup boundary of Mars: Observations and modeling results

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dc.contributor.advisorCloutier, Paul A.en_US
dc.creatorCrider, Dana Hurleyen_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T08:38:51Zen_US
dc.date.available2009-06-04T08:38:51Zen_US
dc.date.issued1999en_US
dc.description.abstractWe analyze the solar wind interaction with Mars through examination of Mars Global Surveyor Magnetometer/Electron Reflectometer (MGS MAG/ER) data. We focus on data in the postshock, dayside plasma flow, especially the Magnetic Pileup Boundary (MPB). First, we present the data to characterize the features of the MPB. Next, we argue the evidence that the MPB is formed through a series of processes, beginning with electron impact ionization of planetary neutrals in the exosphere of Mars. These new ions form an unstable population of energetic ions in the post-shock flow. Ion cyclotron waves are established to scatter the ion distribution into one more stable. This removes thermal pressure from the ions. In order to maintain a constant total pressure in the flow, the magnetic field intensifies, transferring the lost ion thermal pressure into magnetic energy. Also, we develop a model of the electron impact ionization process in the martian exosphere. This model calculates the evolution of the electron distribution function as the flow encounters exospheric planetary neutrals. It reproduces the electron spectrum observed by the ER in the MPB very well. Therefore, we conclude that electron impact ionization is the process responsible for the onset of magnetic pileup in the postshock flow at Mars.en_US
dc.format.extent109 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS SP. SCI. 1999 CRIDER,D.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCrider, Dana Hurley. "Evidence of electron impact ionization in the magnetic pileup boundary of Mars: Observations and modeling results." (1999) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/19368">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/19368</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/19368en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectAstronomyen_US
dc.subjectAstrophysicsen_US
dc.subjectPlasma physicsen_US
dc.subjectRemote sensingen_US
dc.titleEvidence of electron impact ionization in the magnetic pileup boundary of Mars: Observations and modeling resultsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentSpace Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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