Proton pitch angle distributions in the Martian induced magnetosphere: A survey of Tianwen-1 Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer observations

The pitch angle distributions of ions and electrons can be affected by various processes;thus,they can serve as an important indicator of the physical mechanisms driving the dynamics of space plasmas.From observations from the Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer onboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter,we calculated the pitch angle distributions of protons in the Martian induced magnetosphere by using information from the magnetohydrodynamically simulated magnetic field,and we statistically analyzed the spatial occurrence pattern of different types of pitch angle distributions.Even though no symmetrical features were seen in the dataset,we found the dominance of the field-aligned distribution type over the energy range from 188 to 6232 eV.Maps of the occurrence rate showed the preferential presence of a trapped-like distribution at the lower altitudes of the surveyed nightside region.Although our results are more or less restricted by the adopted magnetic field,they indicate the complexity of the near-Mars proton pitch angle distributions and infer the possibility of wave–particle interactions in the Martian induced magnetosphere.

The anisotropy of suprathermal electrons in the Martian ionosphere

Suprathermal electrons are an important population of the Martian ionosphere, either produced by photoionization of atmospheric neutrals or supplied from the Solar Wind (SW). This study is dedicated to an in-depth investigation of the pitch angle distribution of suprathermal electrons at two representative energies, 19−55 eV and 124−356 eV, using the extensive measurements made by the Solar Wind Electron Analyzer on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution. Throughout the study, we focus on the overall degree of anisotropy, defined as the standard deviation of suprathermal electron intensity among different directions which is normalized by the mean omni-directional intensity. The available data reveal the following characteristics: (1) In general, low energy electrons are more isotropic than high energy electrons, and dayside electrons are more isotropic than nightside electrons;(2) On the dayside, the anisotropy increases with increasing altitude at low energies but remains roughly constant at high energies, whereas on the nightside, the anisotropy decreases with increasing altitude at all energies;(3) Electrons tend to be more isotropic in strongly magnetized regions than in weakly magnetized regions, especially on the nightside. These observations indicate that the anisotropy is a useful diagnostic of suprathermal electron transport, for which the conversion between the parallel and perpendicular momenta as required by the conservation of the first adiabatic invariant, along with the atmospheric absorption at low altitudes, are two crucial factors modulating the observed variation of the anisotropy. Our analysis also highlights the different roles on the observed anisotropy exerted by suprathermal electrons of different origins.

Bidirectional electron conic observations for photoelectrons in the Martian ionosphere

Electron pitch angle distributions similar to bidirectional electron conics(BECs)have been reported at Mars in previous studies based on analyses of Mars Global Surveyor measurements.BEC distribution,also termed“butterfly”distribution,presents a local minimum flux at 90°and a maximum flux before reaching the local loss cone.Previous studies have focused on 115 eV electrons that were produced mainly via solar wind electron impact ionization.Here using Solar Wind Electron Analyzer measurements made onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft,we identify 513 BEC events for 19-55 eV photoelectrons that were generated via photoionization only.Therefore,we are investigating electrons observed in regions well away from their source regions,to be distinguished from 115 eV electrons observed and produced in the same regions.We investigate the spatial distribution of the 19-55 eV BECs,revealing that they are more likely observed on the nightside as well as near strong crustal magnetic anomalies.We propose that the 19-55 eV photoelectron BECs are formed due to day-to-night transport and the magnetic mirror effect of photoelectrons moving along cross-terminator closed magnetic field lines.

Medium-energy electron spectrometers on Macao Science Satellite-1

The Macao Science Satellite-1 is a two-satellite constellation specifically designed to study the geomagnetic field and particle radiation environment in low Earth orbit,particularly in the South Atlantic Anomaly region,with a low inclination orbit.Each of the two MSS-1 satellites carries a medium-energy electron spectrometer(MES).The MES sensor heads are based on pinhole imaging technology,which can simultaneously measure 50-600 keV electrons incident from nine directions with a field of view(FOV)of 180°×30°.The two MESs can realize the pitch angle coverage of medium energy electrons at most positions in the orbit.The MSS-1 A/B MESs can realize direct observation of precipitating electrons and electrons near their loss cones.It can help to study the electron generation mechanism in the inner radiation belt and quantify the precipitation of magnetospheric energetic electrons.Combined with the geomagnetic index,solar wind parameters,interplanetary magnetic field conditions,etc.,it can also help to build a dynamic evolution model of energetic electrons in the near-Earth space,to realize the early warning and prediction of space weather based on the observation data,which can provide safety for spacecraft and astronauts in the nearEarth space.

A cross-type imaging electron spectrometer

Energetic electron measurement is of great significance to theoretical space physics research and space weather applications.Current energetic electron detectors must cooperate with a spin-stabilized satellite platform to achieve high angular resolution in pitch angle distribution and three-dimensional(3D)imaging measurement of energetic electrons.This article introduces a cross-type quasi-3D imaging electron spectrometer(IES)based on pinhole imaging technology developed in the laboratory.The imager is composed of five imaging units,including a nine-pixel area array Si-PIN detector imaging unit in the middle and four three-pixel linear array Si-PIN detector imaging units placed in a cross-shape around it.The combination of five imaging units forms two orthogonal nine-pixel linear array detectors(with a common pixel in the middle).There are four pixels with a view angle of 20°×20°in the 45°oblique directions of the cross-type detection array.There are 21 imaging pixels in the entire crosstype sensor head,corresponding to 21 directions.Two multichannel integrated preamplifier ASICs are integrated in the sensor head to realize particle signal readout from 21 pixels.With a back-end electronics system,each pixel can achieve high energy resolution detection of 50–600 keV electrons.Radioactive sources and electron accelerators are used to calibrate the cross-type imaging sensor head,and the results demonstrate its good energy and directional detection characteristics(the energy resolution reaches 6.9 keV for the incident 200 keV electron beam).We performed simulations on the imaging sensor head’s ability to measure the electron pitch angle distribution on the three-axis stabilized platform,and the results show that the sensor head can perform quasi-three-dimensional detection of electrons incident within 2πsolid angles on the three-axis stabilized satellite platform,with an average angular resolution of the electron pitch angle distribution of less than 6°.

Statistical study on the suprathermal electrons properties around dipolarization fronts in Earth's magnetotail

In order to investigate the suprathermal electron flux(>30 ke V) around dipolarization fronts(DFs), we statistically studied the suprathermal electron flux variations and pitch angle distributions of hundreds of earthward propagating DFs observed by THEMIS spacecraft during its tail seasons in years 2008–2009. We focused on the electron flux variations across DFs and electron anisotropies behind DFs. We divided DF into three sectors in the equatorial plane: Dusk, central and dawn sectors. The sectors are defined according to the DF normals with respect to DF's meridian in the equatorial plane(the symmetric line of DF). We found that events with electron flux increases and decreases behind the fronts had no particular dependence on the observation locations. In addition, there was no obvious dependence of electron anisotropy behind DF on the different sectors of DF.