Numerical study of some solar-wind interaction models with space objects

Abstract

The considerable variety of atmospheric and magnetic field properties possessed by the planets results in a corresponding variety of flow details, and a remarkably rich field of comparative study of solar wind flow around major objects in the solar system. It is the purpose of this paper to present a review of the fluid aspects of these flows and how they are approximated to obtain tractable mathematical problems, and a commentary on possibilities for further improvements and on some misconceptions that have appeared in applications of the results.