Energization of Oxygen Ions at Mars: Comparison of a Global Hybrid Model to In Situ Observations
Résumé
We study the energization of planetary oxygen ions escaping from the atmosphere of Mars in a global hybrid model for the Mars-solar wind interaction. In the hybrid approach ions are modelled as particles moving under the Lorentz force and electrons are a charge-neutralizing fluid. Thus, electric and magnetic field are self-consistently coupled with ion dynamics. We identify ion energization regions in the induced magnetosphere of Mars in the model. Further, we study electric and magnetic fields associated with the ion acceleration processes. Finally, we compare our simulation results to in situ particle and magnetic field observations on the MAVEN and Mars Express missions.