6533b873fe1ef96bd12d5f7b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

A numerical study of the Schumann resonances in Mars with the FDTD method

Enrique A. NavarroAntonio SorianoJuan A. MorenteJorge A. Portí

subject

Electromagnetic fieldAtmospheric ScienceSoil ScienceAquatic ScienceOceanographyElectromagnetic radiationAtmosphereOpticsGeochemistry and PetrologyEarth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)Extremely low frequencyEarth-Surface ProcessesWater Science and TechnologyPhysicsEcologySchumann resonancesbusiness.industryPaleontologyForestryMars Exploration ProgramAtmosphere of MarsComputational physicsGeophysicsSpace and Planetary SciencePhysics::Space PhysicsAstrophysics::Earth and Planetary AstrophysicsIonospherebusiness

description

[1] Natural electromagnetic waves generated near the surface by electrostatic discharges in dust storms (dust devils) or by geological activity could be trapped in the resonant cavity formed by the surface and lower ionosphere of Mars, as it occurs on Earth giving rise to Schumann resonances. The finite difference time-domain technique (FDTD) is applied to model the atmosphere of Mars in order to determine Schumann resonant frequencies, and natural electromagnetic fields at the extremely low frequency range (ELF). A numerical tool is provided to analyze the electrical conductivity profile of the Martian atmosphere, with the aim of obtaining Schumann resonance frequencies and their dependence on various ionization sources and solar activity. The effect of local enhancement of conductivity profile at several altitudes is also studied to understand its consequences on Schumann resonances. A criterion to fix the upper limit of the numerical model is established from these results.

https://doi.org/10.1029/2007ja012281