Structure of the magnetic field fluxes connected with crustal magnetization and topside ionosphere at Mars

Abstract

The magnetic fluxes associated with the Martian crustal remanent magnetization have been studied in order to investigate the global structure of the magnetic field in and above the level of the Martian ionosphere. The intensely and nonuniformly magnetized crustal sources generate an effective large‐scale magnetic field. Reconnection with the interplanetary magnetic field can possibly take place in many localized regions. This will permit solar wind (SW) and more energetic particles to precipitate into and heat the neutral atmosphere by impact ionization. This may occur not only in cusp‐like field structures above nearly vertical field anomalies but also in halos extending several hundreds of kilometers from these sources. Numerous cusp‐like regions may exist above the many crustal anomalies in the southern hemisphere. The large‐scale horizontal magnetic fields due to the crustal sources and induced by the SW interaction are responsible for controlling the detailed structure of the Martian ionosphere. Radio occultation observations in the southern hemisphere show relatively constant and low average values of the electron density scale height and zero dependence on zenith angle in contrast to that of nonmagnetic Venus.