On the Schumann resonance at Mars: day-night asymmetry and dust
Abstract
Schumann resonances are standing waves that are accommodated in the electromagnetic cavity formed between the planetary surface and the ionosphere. Their characteristics depend on the electromagnetic activity and properties of the planetary atmosphere. We show numerical simulations of the Martian electromagnetic cavity, accounting for the day - night asymmetry and different atmospheric dust conditions based on a photochemical model. We find that the resonances are better accommodated on the nightside, and the first resonance is expected to be 9 - 14 Hz, depending on the dust activity, with low quality factors (Q ≃ 2). This work serves as an input for future missions (e.g. Exomars) that will try to characterize in-situ the atmospheric electricity on Mars.