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  • Presentation | P31G: Space Environments of Unmagnetized or Weakly Magnetized Solar System Bodies and the Effects of Space Weather on These Systems I Poster
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  • P31G-2614: Mapping Energy Transfer From the Solar Wind to Mars’ Atmosphere Using MAVEN Spacecraft Observations
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  • Board 2614‚ Hall EFG (Poster Hall)
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Author(s):
Catherine Hu, Emory University (First Author, Presenting Author)
Catherine Regan, West Virginia University
Anna Turner, West Virginia University
Christopher Fowler, West Virginia University


The Sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind, which interacts with planets throughout the solar system. Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a global intrinsic magnetic field, so its atmosphere along with its surrounding magnetic environment is directly exposed to the solar wind. This interaction leads to a variety of processes within the system, including energy transfers between solar wind and the atmosphere that may lead to increased atmospheric loss.


We want to determine where specific energy transfer processes can occur in the space around Mars, because they can act to channel solar wind energy into the atmosphere. To do this, we use data from MAVEN (NASA 2014) and cross-validated our results with previous case studies. We focused on two parameters: magnetic field strength and ion density. Using a binning method, we grouped data by location in the Martian environment. This allowed us to analyze where certain energy transfer processes may be favored. Preliminary results highlight regions around Mars where these processes are likely to occur. These maps provide new insight into how such interactions may impact the atmosphere of Mars and help build a statistical foundation for further analysis of energy transfer.




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