Understanding Mercury's Magnetosphere using MESSENGER Data and Global Kinetic Simulations
Project goals
During the early stages of the project, the basic structure and configuration of Mercury?s magnetosphere will be examined by using the hybrid simulation model (details of the code can be found in section 4). This already has been started by examining thevariable nature of the Mercury?s magnetosphere due to the relatively high eccentricity (e = 0.206) of the planet?s orbit, which has an aphelion orbital distance of 0.469 AU and perihelion distance of 0.309 AU (Earth is located at 1 AU from the Sun). Solar wind conditions can vary significantly between the two locations, with the density and IMF at aphelion being as little as ½ the values at perihelion. The estimated standoff distance of the Hermean magnetosphere at the two locations based on the average solar wind conditions will vary accordingly. Given that a Mercury year is about 88 days, its magnetosphere is expected to undergo significant changes due to orbital motion alone. Global hybrid simulations of the Hermean magnetosphere at peri
Keywords
Public support
Provider
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
Programme
KONTAKT
Call for proposals
KONTAKT 7 (SMSM2009ME4)
Main participants
—
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
2060/2011-320
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Výzkum magnetosféry planety Merkur využitím dat družice MESSENGER a globálních kinetických simulací
Annotation in Czech
Cílem projektu je studium a pochopení vlastností a struktury magnetosféry planety Merkur na základě interpretace měření provedených družicí MESSENGER a numerických simulací.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
CEP classification - main branch
BL - Plasma physics and discharge through gases
CEP - secondary branch
BN - Astronomy and celestial mechanics, astrophysics
CEP - another secondary branch
JV - Cosmic technologies
10305 - Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)
10308 - Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
20304 - Aerospace engineering
Completed project evaluation
Provider evaluation
V - Vynikající výsledky projektu (s mezinárodním významem atd.)
Project results evaluation
Within the project ME09009 we have provided a set of numerical simulations of Mercury´s interaction with solar wind according to first MESSENGER close fly-by´s. Simulation data sets were applied to completely describe the magnetosphere´s global structureand further used for better interpretation of real MESSENGER data. Achieved results were published in 12 reviewed scientific publications.
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Apr 1, 2009
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2012
Project status
U - Finished project
Latest support payment
Feb 23, 2012
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP13-MSM-ME-U/01:1
Data delivery date
Jun 28, 2013
Finance
Total approved costs
1,028 thou. CZK
Public financial support
1,028 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK
Basic information
Recognised costs
1 028 CZK thou.
Public support
1 028 CZK thou.
100%
Provider
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
CEP
BL - Plasma physics and discharge through gases
Solution period
01. 04. 2009 - 31. 12. 2012