ISRO Missions and Discoveries

Study reveals intriguing Magnetic behavior on Mars

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Magnetic Anomalies of Mars

Why in the News?

A study conducted by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) revealed significant variations in the strength of Mars’ crustal magnetic field between day and night.

Notable facts about Mars:

  • Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest in the Solar System, larger only than Mercury.
  • Named after the Roman god of war, Mars is often called the “Red Planet” due to its reddish appearance from iron oxide on its surface.
  • It is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, featuring surface characteristics like impact craters, valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps.
  • Mars shares similar days and seasons to Earth because of its comparable rotational period and axial tilt.
  • It hosts Olympus Mons, the largest volcano and highest mountain on any planet, and Valles Marineris, one of the largest canyons in the Solar System.

Key Findings on Mars’s Magnetic 

  • Mars’ crustal magnetic field is significantly stronger during the daytime and nearly non-existent at night-time.
    • This suggests a diurnal variation in the magnetic field strength on the Martian surface.
  • The crustal magnetic field of Mars is primarily located in the southern hemisphere, specifically poleward of 30°S latitude.
  • The magnetic fields are scattered within a region between 120° E and 240° E, indicating uneven distribution across the Martian surface.
  • The daytime crustal magnetic field plays a crucial role in controlling the ionosphere in Mars’ southern hemisphere.
  • This influence impacts communication and navigation systems of future missions.

Data Utilization from MAVEN Satellite:

  • The study utilized data from the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) Satellite, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014.
  • MAVEN’s data on electron density and magnetic field were critical in investigating how Mars’ crustal magnetic field affects its plasma environment and ionosphere.

Significance of the Study

  • Understanding Mars’ crustal magnetic field is essential for future robotic and manned missions, as it provides natural magnetic shielding against space radiation.
  • The insights from the study can help in developing strategies to mitigate the effects of space weather on spacecraft and astronauts.

PYQ:

[2016] The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

  1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission.
  2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
  3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit Mars in its very first attempt.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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