Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences

The Korean Space Science Society (한국우주과학회)
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Simulation Study of Solar Wind Interaction with Lunar Magnetic Fields

  • Choi, Cheong Rim (Department of Astronomy and Space Science, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Dokgo, Kyunghwan (Southwest Research Institute) ;
  • Woo, Chang Ho (Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Min, Kyoung Wook (Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
  • Received : 2020.01.29
  • Accepted : 2020.02.13
  • Published : 2020.03.15
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Abstract

Particle-in-cell simulations were performed to understand the interaction of the solar wind with localized magnetic fields on the sunlit surface of the Moon. The results indicated a mini-magnetosphere was formed which had a thin magnetopause with the thickness of the electron skin depth. It was also found that the solar wind penetrated into the cavity of the magnetosphere intermittently rather than in a steady manner. The solar wind that moved around the magnetosphere was observed to hit the surface of the Moon, implying that it may be the cause of the lunar swirl formation on the surface.

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References

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