Chinese Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics The O+ Ion Flux in the Martian Magnetosphere and Martian Intrinsic Moment

Abstract A model is developed to study the ionospheric ion flux distribution along magnetic force lines in Martian magnetosphere and the influence of Martian intrinsic moment on the distribution. It is discovered that the intrinsic moment has significant influence on the O+ ion flux distribution that a lower flux in the magnetotail will be associated with a stronger intrinsic moment. According to the theoretical result and the observed data on the ion flux which is about 7.6×106 cm−2 s−1 in the Martian magnetotail, the deduced Martian moment is about 2×1021 G cm3. This agrees well with the most recent data obtained by MAG/ER on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft