Double Layers in the Martian Magnetosheath

The observation of electrostatic double layers in Martian magnetosheath plasma is reported, based on medium-frequency (100 Hz–32 kHz) electric field data recorded by the Langmuir Probe and Waves on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft on 2021 January 1. A total of six burst mo...

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Main Authors: Sahil Pandey, Amar Kakad, Bharati Kakad, Kuldeep Singh, Ioannis Kourakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adad6f
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author Sahil Pandey
Amar Kakad
Bharati Kakad
Kuldeep Singh
Ioannis Kourakis
author_facet Sahil Pandey
Amar Kakad
Bharati Kakad
Kuldeep Singh
Ioannis Kourakis
author_sort Sahil Pandey
collection DOAJ
description The observation of electrostatic double layers in Martian magnetosheath plasma is reported, based on medium-frequency (100 Hz–32 kHz) electric field data recorded by the Langmuir Probe and Waves on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft on 2021 January 1. A total of six burst mode events were scrutinized, revealing the occurrence of double layer structures. Overall, 79 double layers were identified, with their absolute amplitudes and widths found to be in the ranges of 0.4–3.3 mV m ^−1 and 0.6–6.4 ms, respectively. The dominant frequency associated with the observed excitations lies well above the ion plasma frequency ( f _pi ). The identified structures were observed at 2600–4400 km altitude in the dusk sector (17–19 LT). Extensive analysis based on a nonlinear multifluid plasma model shows that the observed structures are electron-acoustic double layers. A comparison of theory and observations indicates that these double layers have spatial scales in the range of 0.4–10 km. This is the first detailed study to give conclusive evidence of the occurrence of double layers in the Martian plasma environment.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series The Astrophysical Journal
spelling doaj-art-84e70f3c90174feb82e8bd5e5aadec4f2025-08-20T02:45:38ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572025-01-0198114410.3847/1538-4357/adad6fDouble Layers in the Martian MagnetosheathSahil Pandey0https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1647-2786Amar Kakad1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1308-4245Bharati Kakad2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8440-3373Kuldeep Singh3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3526-8085Ioannis Kourakis4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4027-0166Indian Institute of Geomagnetism , New Panvel, Navi Mumbai 410218, IndiaIndian Institute of Geomagnetism , New Panvel, Navi Mumbai 410218, IndiaIndian Institute of Geomagnetism , New Panvel, Navi Mumbai 410218, IndiaDepartment of Mathematics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology , Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Mathematics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Hellenic Space Center , Athens, GreeceThe observation of electrostatic double layers in Martian magnetosheath plasma is reported, based on medium-frequency (100 Hz–32 kHz) electric field data recorded by the Langmuir Probe and Waves on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft on 2021 January 1. A total of six burst mode events were scrutinized, revealing the occurrence of double layer structures. Overall, 79 double layers were identified, with their absolute amplitudes and widths found to be in the ranges of 0.4–3.3 mV m ^−1 and 0.6–6.4 ms, respectively. The dominant frequency associated with the observed excitations lies well above the ion plasma frequency ( f _pi ). The identified structures were observed at 2600–4400 km altitude in the dusk sector (17–19 LT). Extensive analysis based on a nonlinear multifluid plasma model shows that the observed structures are electron-acoustic double layers. A comparison of theory and observations indicates that these double layers have spatial scales in the range of 0.4–10 km. This is the first detailed study to give conclusive evidence of the occurrence of double layers in the Martian plasma environment.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adad6fPlanetary magnetospheresSpace plasmas
spellingShingle Sahil Pandey
Amar Kakad
Bharati Kakad
Kuldeep Singh
Ioannis Kourakis
Double Layers in the Martian Magnetosheath
The Astrophysical Journal
Planetary magnetospheres
Space plasmas
title Double Layers in the Martian Magnetosheath
title_full Double Layers in the Martian Magnetosheath
title_fullStr Double Layers in the Martian Magnetosheath
title_full_unstemmed Double Layers in the Martian Magnetosheath
title_short Double Layers in the Martian Magnetosheath
title_sort double layers in the martian magnetosheath
topic Planetary magnetospheres
Space plasmas
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adad6f
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AT amarkakad doublelayersinthemartianmagnetosheath
AT bharatikakad doublelayersinthemartianmagnetosheath
AT kuldeepsingh doublelayersinthemartianmagnetosheath
AT ioanniskourakis doublelayersinthemartianmagnetosheath