SHOTS: Comparison of numerical approaches for the solar wind interaction with Mercury's magnetosphere within the BepiColombo simulation group

The small size of Mercury's magnetosphere, compared to the magnetospheres of the Earth or of the Giant Planets, is a promising topic to compare and benchmark simulation codes based on different numerical approaches like MHD, Hybrid and PiC-codes. These codes are used within the BepiColombo community and are exercised for specialized questions needed to be investigated using numerical simulations. However, there has never been a consequent comparison of the existing codes in their numerical effectiveness, stability, and different approaches for the same physical problems.

We are the first group that tackles this endeavor to demonstrate how different numerical approaches to the same physical problems affect our understanding of the specific magnetospheric features at Mercury. We start this project first with exemplary IMF conditions with average upstream plasma parameters and a strict northward IMF.

Our preliminary results will include discussions on the effect that different boundary conditions between each code can have on overall structures visible in the various simulations.

Our joint Mercury model will be essential for preparing future simulations for the BepiColombo mission.