What we have learned about the Martian magnetic field

Abstract

The evidence is presented for the existence of the magnetic field of the planet Mars and for the effectiveness of the dipolar part of the field as an obstacle to the solar wind at the most frequent parameters of the latter. The dipolar magnetic moment of Mars is (1.5–2.20 × 1022 G cm3. The dipole axis makes an angle i⩽15‡ with the rotation axis of the panel. The magnetic north pole of Mars is located in its southern hemisphere. In terms of the precession dynamo model, the magnetic fields of the Earth and Mars are similar. This indicates that the Martian magnetic field is associated with the present-day dynamo-process in the Martian liquid core.