When charged particles from the solar wind interact with a planet’s atmosphere it induces a magnetic field. This research project aims to study this phenomenon at Mars and compare it to prior data from Venus to examine how planet-specific properties affect the interaction.

Since 2014, NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) spacecraft, which orbits Mars, has been gathering data to observe how the solar wind interacts with Mars’ upper atmosphere. The purpose of the MAVEN mission is to research the upper atmosphere’s interactions with solar wind to gain an understanding of how loss of volatiles has progressed through time. This gives insight into the history of the planet’s atmosphere, climate, and previous habitability. Our research is focused on characterizing the planet’s induced magnetic field. We aim to assess how the induced magnetic fields behave under different solar wind conditions and solar zenith angles, and additionally, understand how planet-specific properties (such as Mars crustal magnetism) alter the formation and structure of the magnetic fields. Additionally, We use data from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter to compare induced magnetic fields at Venus with those at Mars.