MHD Analysis at Planetary Bow Shocks for Differing Polytropic Indices Across the Shock Layer

Details MHD Analysis at Planetary Bow Shocks for Differing Polytropic Indices Across the Shock Layer MHD Analysis at Planetary Bow Shocks for Differing Polytropic Indices Across the Shock Layer

Nov 1998

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998aps..dpp.q7f06v&link_type=abstract

American Physical Society, Division of Plasma Physics Meeting, November 16-20, 1998 New Orleans, LA, abstract #Q7F.06

Physics

Plasma Physics

Scientific paper

MHD theory of planetary bow shocks is analyzed for the case of polytropic index variation across the shock layer, so the index γ inside the magnetosheath differs from γ 0 of the solar wind. The Rankine-Hugoniot equations are solved numerically for arbitrary γ 0 and γ. Several cases are analyzed, including the case of an adiabatic condition in the solar wind and an isothermal one in the magnetosheath. The density ratio X of the solar wind plasma to plasma just inside the bow shock varies widely from a factor of over 10 for γ at low values just above 1, down to near 1 for switch-on roots at very low Alfven Mach numbers MA close to 1. Changes in γ cause much greater changes in the shock characteristics of equivalent roots than changes in γ _0. Furthermore, these changes are particularly prominent when γ is close to 1, with the morphology of the γ =1 solutions different than for γ>1. Analysis also indicates that a conceivable value of γ > γ 0 (not observed) is inconsistent with the presence of a bow shock, leading to the conjecture that γ <=γ 0 at all planetary bow shocks at which MHD is valid.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

MHD Analysis at Planetary Bow Shocks for Differing Polytropic Indices Across the Shock Layer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with MHD Analysis at Planetary Bow Shocks for Differing Polytropic Indices Across the Shock Layer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and MHD Analysis at Planetary Bow Shocks for Differing Polytropic Indices Across the Shock Layer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1074965