What is a Solitary Wave?

Solitary waves are distinct electric field fluctuations follow constant amplitude-phase relations.

What is a Solitary Wave?

Why in news?

  • With the help of high-resolution electric field data recorded by the Langmuir Probe and Waves instrument on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft of NASA researchers identified the solitary waves.

Key facts about the Solitary wave

  • Solitary waves are distinct electric field fluctuations (bipolar or monopolar) that follow constant amplitude-phase relations. 
  • Their shape and size are less affected during their propagation. 
  • The magnitude and duration of these pulses are found to be 1-25 milivolt/meter and 0.2–1.7 milliseconds, respectively. 
  • These pulses are dominantly seen in the dawn and afternoon dusk sectors at an altitude of 1000–3500 km around Mars.
  • Through simulations, it is found that the spatial extent of these structures is very small (30-330 meters). As these waves are known to be responsible for the plasma energization and its transport in Earth’s magnetosphere

What is MAVEN spacecraft?

  • The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission, which launched in 2013.
  • It is the first mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere.
  • The goal of this spacecraft is to determine the role that loss of atmospheric gas to space played in changing the Martian climate through time

 


Q1) What is Geomagnetism?

Geomagnetism is the study of all aspects of the Earth’s magnetic field, also called the geomagnetic field, that surrounds our habitat in the form of the magnetosphere. Source: 

Source: The first evidence of solitary waves near Mars may decode the mystery behind ion loss on the planet.

 

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

Last updated on July, 2025

UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.

UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025  are available now.

UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.

→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.

UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.

UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!

UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.

→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi

Vajiram Editor
Vajiram Editor
UPSC GS Course 2026
UPSC GS Course 2026
₹1,75,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
Prelims PowerupTest Series
Prelims PowerupTest Series
₹13000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mains Test Series
UPSC Mains Test Series
₹16000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹85000
Enroll Now
Enquire Now