New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) has recently completed a study on the effects of Mars’ crustal magnetic field on its plasma environment. The study has revealed that the crustal magnetic field of Mars is much stronger during the daytime and almost non-existent during the nighttime, a PIB press release stated.
The crustal magnetic field of Mars is located in the southern hemisphere and is poleward of 30°S latitude. It has scattered crustal magnetic fields in the region of 120° E to 240° E. The study has shown that the daytime crustal magnetic field strongly controls the ionosphere in the southern hemisphere.
The scientists in the IIG have emphasized the importance of understanding the magnetic shielding provided by the crustal magnetic field of Mars for future robotic and manned missions to the space station. The study findings can help in developing effective space exploration strategies by providing knowledge of the planet’s magnetic field and its potential effects on spacecraft dynamics.
The MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) satellite has been orbiting Mars since 2014. The spacecraft collects data on electron density and magnetic field, which can be used to investigate the effects of the crustal magnetic field on the Martian ionosphere. The study was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics.