Generation of 30 s Waves Observed Upstream of the Martian Bow Shock: A Case Study

Abstract

The foreshock region filled with turbulences is a natural lab for studying interactions between plasma and waves. The underlying processes are vital for dissipating the energy carried by the solar wind into the Martian environment. In this study, we analyze an ultralow-frequency wave observed on 2015 August 14 by Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution upstream of the Martian bow shock. The wave properties match with those of 30 s waves; the dispersion calculation shows that the upstream plasma was capable of generating the observed waves. The analysis of the ion behaviors implies the wave generated without a field-aligned beam, while the growth rate of waves seems to be modulated by the interplanetary magnetic field conditions. These results indicate the unique role of the Martian foreshock in the interaction between the solar wind and the planet.

Keywords

• Mars
• Solar wind
• Plasma physics