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Dynamics of the Interaction of the Solar Wind With a Planetary Atmosphere
Author(s) -
Cloutier Paul A.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs005i002p00387
Subject(s) - bow shock (aerodynamics) , solar wind , physics , shock (circulatory) , ionosphere , plasma , dynamic pressure , supersonic speed , magnetopause , shock wave , oblique shock , magnetohydrodynamics , atmosphere (unit) , magnetohydrodynamic drive , atmospheric sciences , mechanics , interplanetary magnetic field , geophysics , meteorology , quantum mechanics , medicine
Dynamics of the interaction of a magnetized supersonic plasma flow (solar wind) with a planetary ionosphere are examined. The flow behavior across a bow magnetohydrodynamic shock and in the post‐shock region, where the flow interacts with the planetary ionosphere, is analyzed. It is argued that the pressure balance between the solar wind and the post‐shock plasma is provided mainly by static gas pressure rather than by a large magnetic field ‘build‐up.’