Magnetic configurations of planetary obstacles

Abstract

The interaction of the solar wind with planetlike obstacles is examined. The four different types of interactions, and the properties of the planets relative to their roles as obstacles to solar wind flow are discussed. The characteristic features of the magnetosphere of Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, and the earth are described; particular attention is given to the configuration of the magnetosphere and the factors which control the position and shape of the magnetopause. The role of the magnetic field as it becomes modified in the solar wind interaction with nonmagnetic objects possessing an ionosphere is studied and examples of ionospheric interaction, such as Venusian and Titan interactions, are presented.