Statistical Characteristics of Nighttime ULF Waves Observed on the Surface of Mars by InSight
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) Fluxgate Magnetometer returned data from the Martian surface throughout the course of the InSight mission, between November 2018 and May 2022. Ultra‐low frequency (ULF) electromagnetic waves are commonly observed by InSight during nighttime hours. We present a collection of 444 nighttime ULF wave events with characteristic frequencies ranging from 1 to 16 mHz (periods from about 1 to 17 min), with a median frequency of about 7 mHz (period of about 140 s). Ultra‐low frequency wave activity is found across all nighttime hours, but the activity is more commonly observed after midnight local time. A subset of 104 InSight ULF wave events occur while Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) is located in the solar wind. During these events, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) deviates from its nominally expected orientation. We suggest that ULF waves are likely produced in the Martian magnetosphere by at least two different mechanisms and that the occurrence of the ULF waves on the surface is sensitive to the solar wind interaction with the Martian crustal fields. Further measurements by lander or orbiter missions will provide more information about the origin of ULF waves, how they reach the surface during the nighttime, and whether or not ULF waves can be used to perform magnetic sounding to study the subsurface of Mars.
DOI: 10.1029/2024ja033292
Authors: K. Webster, Y. Ma, S. Joy, P. J. Chi
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,070
Awards: THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES OF THE INSIGHT PARTICIPATING SCIENTIST PROGRAM (PSP): (I) IT ENHANCES THE SCIENTIFIC RETURN FROM THE INSIGHT MISSION: THE DATA-DRIVEN EMPIRICAL MAGNETOSPHERE MODEL PRODUCED BY THIS INVESTIGATION REPRESENTS THE SUMMARIZED INFORMATION ABOUT THE AVAILABLE MAGNETOMETER OBSERVATIONS IN THE INDUCED MARTIAN MAGNETOSPHERES AND THEREFORE CAN ENHANCE FUTURE SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING THE ESTIMATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD AT MARS. (II) IT CAN EXTEND KNOWLEDGE GAINED BY INSIGHT TO OTHER TERRESTRIAL-TYPE PLANETS. THE METHODOLOGY OF BUILDING THE EMPIRICAL MODEL FOR THE INDUCED MARTIAN MAGNETOSPHERE CAN BE A USEFUL REFERENCE TO DEVELOPMENT OF AN EMPIRICAL MAGNETOSPHERE MODEL FOR VENUS WHICH IS ALSO AN UNMAGNETIZED PLANET WITH AN ATMOSPHERE. (III) IT ADDRESSES THE INSIGHT SCIENCE GOAL TO "DETERMINE THE SIZE COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL STATE (LIQUID OR SOLID) OF THE CORE." THE MAGNETIC SOUNDING ANALYSIS PROVIDED BY THIS INVESTIGATION CAN ENRICH THE FINDINGS ABOUT THE MARTIAN CORE BY OTHER INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS SEIS AND HP3. THE INVESTIGATOR WILL JOIN THE DEEP INTERIOR THEME GROUP AND (IV) THE PROPOSED INVESTIGATION INCLUDES THE TOPICS OF INTEREST AS LISTED IN THE PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDING "STUDIES OF PROPAGATION OF TIME-VARYING MAGNETIC FIELDS FROM SATELLITE ALTITUDES TO THE SURFACE " AND "STUDIES OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY STRUCTURE OF THE MARTIAN CRUST AND MANTLE.", G2308798246, G3029946720
OpenAlex ID: W4408763379