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A New Axisymmetric MHD Model of the Interaction of the Solar Wind with VenusA new two-dimensional axisymmetric MHD model is used to study the interaction of the solar wind with Venus under conditions where the interplanetary field is approximately aligned with the solar wind velocity. This numerical model solves the MHD transport equations for density, velocity, pressure, and magnetic field on an adaptively refined, unstructured grid system. This use of an adaptive grid allows high spatial resolution in regions of large density/velocity gradients and yet can be run on a workstation. The actual grid sizes vary from about 0.06 R(sub v) near the bowshock to 2 R(sub v) in the unperturbed solar wind. The results of the calculations are compared with observed magnetic field values obtained from the magnetometer on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, at a time when the angle between the solar wind velocity vector and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was only 7.6 deg. Good qualitative agreement between the observed and calculated field behavior is found. The overall results suggest that the induced magnetotail disappears when the IMF is radial for an extended time period and implies that it weakens when the field rotated through a near-radial orientation.
Document ID
19990017752
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
DeZeeuw, Darren L.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI United States)
Nagy, Andrew F.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI United States)
Gombosi, Tamas I.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI United States)
Powell, Kenneth G.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI United States)
Luhmann, Janet G.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
February 25, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Volume: 101
Issue: E2
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Report/Patent Number
Paper 95JE03363
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-4600
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-3962
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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