Schumann resonances as a tool to study the lower ionospheric structure of Mars

Abstract

[1] The study of the propagation of extremely low frequency (ELF) waves is essential for electromagnetic sounding investigations planned for some of the future Martian missions. Future surface stations will have the possibility of continuously recording low-frequency electromagnetic field fluctuations. Natural electromagnetic waves produced near the surface by electrostatic discharges in dust storms (dust devils) or by geological activity can be trapped in the resonant cavity formed by the surface and lower ionosphere as it occurs on the Earth. Low-frequency electromagnetic waves can also travel along the magnetic field lines of the recently discovered magnetic anomalies from the magnetosphere to the surface and may produce resonant structures in the cavity. The structure of the resonant frequencies, also called Schumann frequencies, is mainly determined by the geometry of the cavity and by the global electrical conductivity of the ionosphere/atmosphere. Measurements of Schumann frequencies by surface stations can be used for remote sensing of the electrical conductivity of the lower ionosphere/ atmosphere. We present a numerical model of electromagnetic wave propagation based on the transmission line modeling (TLM) method with the aim of calculating the resonance frequencies on Mars and their dependence on solar activity and various possible ionization sources like meteoroids. The model has been previously validated by application to the terrestrial case. The numerical results obtained for the Earth are very close to the experimental ones, which supports our predictions on Mars. Our model can be used to study the global atmospheric conductivity using future real ELF measurements by surface stations or even balloons on Mars.Citation: Molina-Cuberos, G. J., J. A. Morente, B. P. Besser, J. Portí, H. Lichtenegger, K. Schwingenschuh, A. Salinas, and J. Margineda (2006), Schumann resonances as a tool to study the lower ionospheric structure of Mars, Radio Sci., 41, RS1003,

Three‐dimensional finite difference time domain modeling of the Schumann resonance parameters on Titan, Venus, and Mars

“…A good agreement is found between our FDTD results and results reported by Sukhorukov [1991] and Pechony and Price [2004] for the corresponding conductivity profiles. The results shown in the last column in Table 4 are the peak frequencies of the first three SR modes calculated recently by Molina-Cuberos et al [2006] using TLM model [Morente et al, 2003], in which the second and third modes have same frequencies. The peak frequency is defined as the frequency where the maximum power occurs.…”

ELF Electromagnetic Waves from Lightning: The Schumann Resonances

“…Nevertheless the low quality factors obtained in both studies show that pronounced sharp peaks at resonance frequencies should not be expected for the Martian ELF waveguide. Significantly different results were obtained by [167], where several ionosphere models were used. The first resonance occurred at 11-12 Hz (depending on the ionosphere model), the second and third resonances interfered to form a single peak at 21-25 Hz and the fourth, fifth and sixth modes produced a very smooth-shaped peak at around 60 Hz.…”

“…Martian global resonances have also been modeled [24,164,166,167]. The results of the studies are somewhat different.…”

The design and the performance of stratospheric mission in the search for the Schumann resonances

“…[1]. The frequency location of the resonances is connected with the parameters of the atmosphere; therefore, they can be used for measuring of their properties on Earth and other planets, e.g., in future missions on Mars [3,4]. There are also some indications that the low frequency electromagnetic fields influence biological systems; however, there is no general description of this phenomenon -see review in [5].…”

“…As the ascending and descending phases are slower than in rocket carriers the gathered datasets can be large. It is therefore natural to use this platform to measure the resonances, as was suggested in [3] in the case of Mars. The first initial results of measuring the resonance were reported in [6], therefore, it suggests that the proper design of the balloon ELF mission is of great importance in atmospheric research and future cosmic exploration.…”