The MAVEN Solar Wind Electron Analyzer

D. L. Mitchell , C. Mazelle (1, 2) , J. -A. Sauvaud (1, 2) , J. -J. Thocaven (1, 2) , J. Rouzaud (1, 2) , A. Fedorov (1, 2) , P. Rouger (1, 2) , D. Toublanc (1, 2) , E. Taylor , D. Gordon , M. Robinson , S. Heavner , P. Turin , M. Diaz-Aguado , D. W. Curtis , R. P. Lin , B. M. Jakosky

1 IRAP - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie
2 UT - Université de Toulouse

The MAVEN Solar Wind Electron Analyzer (SWEA) is a symmetric hemispheric electrostatic analyzer with deflectors that is designed to measure the energy and angular distributions of 3-4600-eV electrons in the Mars environment. This energy range is important for impact ionization of planetary atmospheric species, and encompasses the solar wind core and halo populations, shock-energized electrons, auroral electrons, and ionospheric primary photoelectrons. The instrument is mounted at the end of a 1.5-meter boom to provide a clear field of view that spans nearly 80 % of the sky with ∼20° resolution. With an energy resolution of 17 % (Δ E/E), SWEA readily distinguishes electrons of solar wind and ionospheric origin. Combined with a 2-second measurement cadence and on-board real-time pitch angle mapping, SWEA determines magnetic topology with high (∼8-km) spatial resolution, so that local measurements of the plasma and magnetic field can be placed into global context.

Mots clés: Mars; Ionosphere; Solar wind; MAVEN mission; Electrostatic analyzer

Domaines: Planète et Univers [physics]

D. L. Mitchell, C. Mazelle, J. -A. Sauvaud, J. -J. Thocaven, J. Rouzaud, et al.. The MAVEN Solar Wind Electron Analyzer. Space Science Reviews, 2016, 200, pp.495-528. ⟨10.1007/s11214-015-0232-1⟩. ⟨insu-03675416⟩