Hybrid simulations of the magnetic topology of Mars

Abstract

The structure of the magnetic field surrounding the planet Mars has been investigated using a fully three‐dimensional hybrid particle code. The results of these simulations are found to agree well with Phobos 2 data. However, the results also indicate that the solar wind interaction with the planet Mars produces a magnetic environment around the planet that is unique among the planets of the solar system. This paper reports the findings from a series of large‐scale, three‐dimensional simulations and many two‐dimensional simulations used to address numerical issues.