Influence of the crustal magnetic field on the Mars aurora electron flux and UV brightness

[en] Observations with the SPICAM instrument on board Mars Express have shown the occasional presence of localized ultraviolet nightside emissions associated with enhanced energetic electron fluxes. These features generally occur in regions with significant radial crustal magnetic field. We use a Monte-Carlo electron transport model to investigate the role of the magnetic field on the downward and upward electron fluxes, the brightness and the emitted power of auroral emissions. Simulations based on an ASPERA-3 measured auroral electron precipitation indicate that magnetic mirroring leads to an intensification of the energy flux carried by upward moving electrons- from about 20% in the absence of crustal magnetic field up to 33-78% when magnetic field is included depending on magnetic field topology. Conservation of the particle flux in a flux tube implies that the presence of the B-field does not appreciably modify the emission rate profiles for an initially isotropic pitch angle distribution. However, we find that crustal magnetic field results in increase of the upward electron flux, and, consequently, in reduction of the total auroral brightness for given energy flux of precipitating electrons.

Research center :

STAR - Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research - ULiège

Disciplines :

Space science, astronomy & astrophysics

Author, co-author :

Bisikalo, D. V.

Shematovich, V. I.

Gérard, Jean-Claude ; Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO)

Hubert, Benoît ; Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP)

Language :

English

Title :

Influence of the crustal magnetic field on the Mars aurora electron flux and UV brightness

Publication date :

2017

Journal title :

Icarus

ISSN :

0019-1035

eISSN :

1090-2643

Publisher :

Elsevier, San Diego, United States - California

Volume :

282

Pages :

127-135

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 30 January 2017

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