Hybrid Particle Code Simulations of Mars: The Energy Budget.

Abstract:

The results of our latest hybrid particle simulations using the HALFSHEL code are discussed. The presentation will address the energy budget of the solar wind interaction with Mars. The simulations produce loss rates that are very consistent with measured data, Brecht and Ledvina [2014], therefore inspection of the details of the interaction is now warranted. This paper will address the relationship between the energy flowing into the planet and the energy flowing away from the planet. The partition of the energy between fields, and individual ion species will be addressed as well as the amount of energy deposited in the neutral atmosphere by incoming solar wind plasma and during the process of ion loss caused by acceleration via electric fields.

Brecht, S.H. and S.A. Ledvina (2014), “The role of the Martian crustal magnetic fields in controlling ionospheric loss,“ Geophys. Res. Lett., 41, 5340-5346, doi:10.1002/2014GL060841.