Magnetometer and Electron Reflectometer (MAG/ER)

Objectives:

1. Establish the Nature of the Magnetic Field of Mars
2. Develop Models for Its Representation, Which Take into Account the Internal Sources of Magnetism and the Effects of the Interaction with the Solar Wind
3. Map the Martian Crustal Remnant Field Using Fluxgate Sensors and Extend These In Situ Measurements with the Remote Capability of the Electron Reflectometer Sensor
4. Characterize the Solar Wind/Mars Plasma Interaction
5. Remotely Sense the Martian Ionosphere

Instrumentation:

Two Triaxial Fluxgate Magnetometers and an Electron Reflectometer will be used. Two to sixteen vector samples per second of the in-situ magnetic field will be acquired, and measurements of electron flux as a function of pitch angle will resolve local surface fields.

Measurements:

• To Establish Nature of Magnetic Field at Mars
• Resolution:
  • MAG: 7 Ranges by Factor of 4 from + 16 nT to+65,526 nT (12bits/ sample)
  • ER: 1 eV to 10 Kev with Energy Resolution ΔE/E of 0.25
• Detectors:
  • MAG: Dual Triaxial Fluxgate Magnetometers
  • ER: Symmetrical Quadspherical Electrostatic Analyzer, FOV: 360 degree x14 degree
• Electronics:
  • 80C86 Microprocessor
  • 16 kilobyte Memory
  • Measures from 2 to 16 Magnetic vectors/sec
• Data Rates: 324, 648, 1296 bits/sec
• Commands: Minimal, Serial Commands

Science Team

M. Acuña, NASA/GSFC - Principal Investigator

Co-Investigators:

K. Anderson - UCB

S. Bauer - U. of Graz (Austria)

C. Carlson - UCB

P. Cloutier - Rice U.

J. Connerney - NASA/GSFC

F. Cotin - CNES

D. Curtis - UCB

C. d'Uston - CNES

R. Lin - UCB

M. Mayhew - NSF

C. Mazelle - CNES

J. McFadden - CNES

N. Ness - Bartol Research Inst.

H. Reme - U. Paul Sabatier (France)

J. Sauvaud - CNES

P. Wasilewski - NASA/GSFC