The Martian escape rate as a function of upstream solar conditions

Abstract:

We investigate potential factors for influence on the Martian heavy ion escape rate (Q) by integrating Mars Express ASPERA-3/IMA heavy ion flux measurements in the Martian tail, taken at similar (binned) solar wind density (n), velocity (v) and EUV radiation flux (F_EUV) upstream conditions. In the best sampled cases, with v and F_EUV constrained, we find a statistically significant decrease in heavy ion escape rate with increased solar wind density. An empirical-analytical model for atmospheric escape is developed by fitting calculated escape rates to all sufficiently sampled solar conditions, indicating an overall negative dependence on solar wind density.