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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

The Solar Wind and its Interaction with Mars’ Ionosphere

Illustration (not to scale) showing the ability of the upstream bow shock and the magnetic field induced in the ionosphere to push the solar wind around the planet. As a result, the solar wind should not hit the ionosphere directly or penetrate deeply into the upper atmosphere. The MAVEN orbit early in the mission is shown schematically. (Courtesy NASA/GSFC)

Illustration (not to scale) showing the ability of the upstream bow shock and the magnetic field induced in the ionosphere to push the solar wind around the planet. As a result, the solar wind should not hit the ionosphere directly or penetrate deeply into the upper atmosphere. MAVEN’s orbit early in the mission is shown schematically. (Courtesy NASA/GSFC)