A theoretical study on the O⁺ ions of the Martian magnetosphere

A theoretical study is made on the O+ density and flux profiles along magnetic field lines emanating from the Martian ionosphere, assuming that the Martian magnetic field consists of an intrinsic field and an induced field. Calculations are made for different values of the intrinsic field. It is found 1) that both the density and flux decrease with increasing areocentric distance, 2) that, as Z increases, both the density and flux decrease first, then slowly increase, 3) that the stronger the intrinsic magnetic field, the fast the density and flux fall with increasing areocentric distance, and 4) at a given distance in the magnetotail, the density and flux are the smaller, the greater the intrinsic magnetic field. Thus, by observing the density and flux distributions in the Martian magnetosphere one may learn about the size of the intrinsic field of the planet.