This proposal is concerned with the interaction of the solar wind, or other flowing plasma, with non-magnetic solar system bodies such as Venus, Mars, Titan and comets. Research in this area contributes to a broader understanding of solar-planetary relations in general and of comparative magnetospheres and ionospheres. The research emphasizes two particular aspects of solar wind interactions with non-magnetic planets: (1) collisional interactions between plasmas and neutrals, and (2) evolution of plasma distribution functions in induced magnetospheres. Specifically, proposed research tasks are: (1) completing a two- dimensional, magnetohydrodynamic model of the inner coma of comet Halley, (2) developing a two-dimensional, MHD model of the ionospheres of Mars and Titan, (3) investigating cometary pickup ions using test particle methods and quasi-linear theory, and (4) studying superthermal neutral and ion populations in the inner coma of comet Halley.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)
Application #
9423120
Program Officer
Paul A. Evenson
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1995-08-01
Budget End
1999-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
$81,118
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Kansas Main Campus
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Lawrence
State
KS
Country
United States
Zip Code
66045