Effects of magnetic field direction on O+ vertical transport in the Martian ionosphere

• Published in: Advances in space research 2023-10, Vol.72 (8), p.3212-3219
• Main Authors: Li, Shi-bang, Lu, Hao-yu, Cao, Jin-bin, Cui, Jun, Li, Yun, Li, Guo-kan, Chen, Ni-han, Wang, Jian-xuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Magnetic topology; Martian ion escape; Martian Ionosphere; Multi-fluid MHD simulation
• ISSN: 0273-1177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2023.07.034

The directions of Martian magnetic field, which depends on the interaction between the crustal magnetic field and the time-various interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), is in a state of disorder and plays a significant role in ions vertical transport, such as ions upwelling and precipitation. In general, vertical diffusion transport of ionospheric plasma tends to be promoted around vertical magnetic field regions but be suppressed around horizontal magnetic field area. However, the mechanism behind this phenomenon is not clear to date. Based on three-dimensional multi-fluid Hall magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) equations in conjunction with an equivalent source dipole (ESD) model, we investigated mechanism behind the control of vertical transport by different magnetic field directions in the Martian ionosphere. Numerical results showed that the same direction of interplanetary magnetic field with ESD results in the formation of mini-magnetosphere to protect the ionosphere, which reflected in higher density distributions comparing to the no-ESD case due to joint effects of thermal pressure increasing and plasma vertical transport. At low altitude of ionosphere, O+ ion inward transport (precipitation) tends to be inhibited particularly around horizontal magnetic field, with high contribution from the motional electric force. In addition, at high altitude, O+ outward transport (upwelling) is likely to be facilitated over vertical-field areas in significant part controlled by the ambipolar electric force, whereas it is likely to be inhibited in horizontal-field region, contributed mainly from the Hall electric force. These results will enrich our understanding of mechanisms behind the control of ions vertical transport by magnetic field directions.