Three-dimensional simulations of the solar wind interaction with Mars
Abstract
Three-dimensional hybrid particle simulations of the dayside portion of the Mars/solar wind interaction have been performed. These simulations are compared with the in situ measurements taken during the elliptical orbits of Phobos 2. The comparisons show considerable agreement between the magnetic field data and the simulations results. The results of the simulations bring into question the type of structures created in the subsolar region of Mars. It appears that the large Larmor radius of the solar wind ions prevents the formation of a traditional collisionless shock in the subsolar region of the interaction.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- February 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1029/92JA02198
- Bibcode:
- 1993JGR....98.1345B
- Keywords:
-
- Larmor Radius;
- Mars Atmosphere;
- Solar Planetary Interactions;
- Solar Wind;
- Three Dimensional Models;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Elliptical Orbits;
- In Situ Measurement;
- MARS;
- SHOCK;
- PLASMA;
- INTERACTION;
- BOWSHOCK;
- SIMULATION;
- MAGNETIC FIELD;
- SOLAR WIND;
- LABORATORY STUDIES;
- DAYSIDE;
- COMPARISON;
- PHOBOS 2 MISSION;
- SPACECRAFT OBSERVATIONS;
- STRUCTURE;
- PROCEDURE;
- MAGNITUDE;
- DENSITY;
- IONS;
- NUMERICAL METHODS;
- POSITION (LOCATION);
- SHAPE;
- DISTRIBUTION;
- ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPERTIES;
- KINETICS;
- PARTICLES;
- WAVES;
- Interplanetary Physics: Planetary bow shocks;
- Magnetospheric Physics: Solar wind interactions with unmagnetized bodies;
- Magnetospheric Physics: Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions;
- Space Plasma Physics: Numerical simulation studies