Flow/field model of a hot magnetized plasma interacting with a cold neutral atmosphere

Solar wind interactions with planets that possess neither an intrinsic magnetic field nor a significant ionosphere have not been well studied. We have constructed a model to simulate the interaction between a hot magnetized plasma and a planet containing only a neutral atmosphere. Examination of the boundary conditions that yield a physically valid solution shows that the interaction is similar to the solar wind interaction with Venus. We show that most (97%) of the incident flow is deflected around the atmosphere, and the small fraction that enters interacts in such a way as to transfer the flowing momentum through the neutral atmosphere to the planetary body. This demonstrates that the true barrier to a flowing plasma, such as the solar wind, is neither its ionosphere nor its intrinsic magnetic field, but rather the planetary body itself.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Sciences

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

1993

Author dc:creator

• Hoogeveen, Gary

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cloutier, Paul A.

• Plasma physics
• Atmospheric sciences
• Astronomy
• Astrophysics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13736

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/13736