Effects of solar variability on planetary plasma environments and habitability

Abstract

Intrinsic and induced planetary magnetospheres are the result of the transfer of energy and linear momentum between the solar wind and, respectively, the magnetic field and the atmospheres of solar system bodies. This transfer seems to be, however, more critical to the atmospheric evolution of unmagnetized objects such as Mars and Venus, as locally ionized planetary particles are accelerated by solar-wind induced electric fields, leading to atmospheric escape. The nature of the obstacle to the solar wind being different, intrinsic and induced magnetospheres respond differently to solar cycle changes in solar photon flux and solar wind properties. The influence of solar variability on planetary magnetospheres and its implications for atmospheric evolution based upon remote and in situ spacecraft measurements, and numerical simulations are discussed. In particular, the case of unmagnetized objects where non-thermal escape process might have played a role in their habitability conditions is considered. © 2012 International Astronomical Union.