Multidimensional MHD Model Studies of the Ionospheres of Venus and Mars
Continuing efforts have been made towards an increased understanding of the solar wind interaction and ionospheric processes at Venus and Mars. This work centered on a systematic development of a new generation of three dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical code, which models the interaction processes of the solar wind with non-magnetic planets, such as Venus and Mars. We have also worked on a number of different, more specific and discrete studies, as various opportunities arose. We have developed new numerical codes for magnetospheric and cometary studies. As a first step in this process we built an axisymmetric model in which the solar wind interacts with a hard, perfectly conducting sphere. Even that model provided, in certain respects, significant improvements over previous ones.