Magnetic Field and Plasma Observations at Mars: Initial Results of the Mars Global Surveyor Mission

1998761 citationsJournal Article

Authors

M. H. Acuña · Goddard Space Flight Center

J. E. P. Connerney · Goddard Space Flight Center

P. J. Wasilewski · Goddard Space Flight Center

R. P. Lin · Goddard Space Flight Center

K. A. Anderson · Goddard Space Flight Center

C. W. Carlson · Goddard Space Flight Center

J. McFadden

Abstract

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer investigation (MAG/ER) on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has obtained magnetic field and plasma observations throughout the near-Mars environment, from beyond the influence of Mars to just above the surface (at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers). The solar wind interaction with Mars is in many ways similar to that at Venus and at an active comet, that is, primarily an ionospheric-atmospheric interaction. No significant planetary magnetic field of global scale has been detected to date (<2 x 10(21) Gauss-cubic centimeter), but here the discovery of multiple magnetic anomalies of small spatial scale in the crust of Mars is reported.

Topics & Keywords

Planetary Science and Exploration Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies Astro and Planetary Science

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and clean energy

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 279, Issue 5357, pp. 1676-1680

DOI: 10.1126/science.279.5357.1676

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 24.89