Reduced Atmospheric Ion Escape Above Martian Crustal Magnetic Fields

Martian crustal fields were considered as too weak to have a distinctive effect on global escape rates of Martian heavy ions. However, new observations by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission reveal a more precise result and show a notably lower atmospheric ion escape region above the area of the strongest crustal fields. A comparison between the fluxes of high and low energy O+ ions suggests that the strongest crustal fields may trap low energy ions and reduce the solar wind pick-up efficiency while high energy ions form a flux depletion above the crustal field. Statistical results indicate a maximum reduction of the global escape flux by nearly 35% when the strongest crustal field region is oriented sunward. This is the first time that the protective effect of the crustal fields on heavy planetary ions has been observed and it might indicate a more effective protection of atmospheres by stronger magnetic fields like at Earth.