Dusty Plasmas in the System of Mars: Review of Recent Theoretical Research at the Space Research Institute RAS

A description of the origin of dust particles, their dynamics and evolution in the atmosphere of Mars and in the vicinity of its moons, Phobos and Deimos, is presented. Theoretical and numerical models are developed that describe the condensation of a substance (for example, water vapor or carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere of Mars, the charging of condensed particles. The parameters of the condensed particles (sizes, charges, etc.) in the atmosphere of Mars are determined. The analysis of the conditions and possibilities for observations and studies of plasma-dust clouds in the atmosphere of Mars in the future space missions ExoMars 2020, Boomerang, etc. is carried out. Theoretical and numerical models are developed for the self-consistent description of dusty plasmas and electric fields at the surfaces of Phobos and Deimos. Numerical modeling of the plasma-dust system and electric fields is carried out. The distributions of dust particles by heights and sizes, the distributions of electrons and ions by heights and speeds, as well as height-distributions of electric fields are determined. The formation of a dusty plasma halo at Mars orbit in the vicinity of Phobos and Deimos is discussed.