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Plasma Waves Detected in Martian Upper Atmosphere


Why is it in the news?

  • Scientists detected high-frequency plasma waves in the upper atmosphere of Mars, providing valuable insights into the plasma processes within the Martian environment.

 

About Plasma Waves

  • Plasma waves are oscillations or fluctuations in the density of charged particles (electrons and ions) within a plasma, a state of matter where gas particles become ionized, resulting in a mix of positively charged ions and free electrons.
  • Charged particles collectively form various types of waves.
  • Plasma waves can exhibit different frequencies, including low-frequency waves (e.g., ion acoustic waves) and high-frequency waves (e.g., electron plasma waves).

 

Observations on Mars

  • Researchers utilized high-resolution electric field data from NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft to investigate high-frequency plasma waves in the Martian plasma environment.
  • Two distinct wave modes were observed, categorized as broadband or narrowband, with frequencies below and above the electron plasma frequency in the Martian magnetosphere.
  • These waves exhibit distinctive features in the frequency domain, offering a tool to explore how electrons gain or dissipate energy in the Martian plasma environment.

 

Note

·       Mars lacks an intrinsic magnetic field hence, high-speed solar wind from the Sun interacts directly with the Martian atmosphere, resembling an obstacle in the flow.

 

Roles of Plasma Waves on Earth

  • Researchers frequently observe various plasma waves in Earth’s magnetosphere, a magnetic field cavity around the planet.
  • Plasma waves play a crucial role in energizing and transporting charged particles throughout the magnetosphere.

Specific plasma waves, such as electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, act as a cleaning agent for Earth’s radiation belt, which are     hazards to satellites.


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