The IMF control of the Martian bow shock and plasma flow in the magnetosheath. Predictions of 3-D simulations and observations

Abstract

Recent three-dimensional simulations of the Martian plasma and magnetic field environment found some unique effects-a strong asymmetry of the bow shock and the magnetic field draping, asymmetry of plasma inflow to the wake, formation of secondary shocks near the boundary of the magnetospheric cavity. The predictions of the models are testified using the Phobos-2 data. It is shown, that, although, the models reproduce some features of the bow shock and plasma flow around the planet, the real picture appears to be more variable and complicated. We suppose that addition of planetary plasma originated from the atmosphere/exosphere and effects of mass-loading is necessary modification of three-dimensional models.