Upstream waves at Mars: Phobos observations

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Abstract
The region upstream from the Mars subsolar bow shock is surveyed for the presence of MHD wave phenomena using the high temporal resolution data from the MAGMA magnetometer. Strong turbulence is observed when the magnetic field is connected to the Mars bow shock in such a way as to allow diffuse ions to reach the spacecraft. On 2 occasions this turbulence occurred upon crossing the Phobos orbit. Also weak, ∼0.15 nT, waves are observed at the proton gyro frequency. These waves are left‐hand elliptically polarized and may be associated with the pick‐up of protons from the Mars hydrogen exosphere.