NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Magnetohydrodynamic and gasdynamic theories for planetary bow wavesThe observed properties of bow waves and the associated plasma flows are outlined, along with those features identified that can be described by a continuum magnetohydrodynamic flow theory as opposed to a more detailed multicomponent particle and field plasma theory. The primary objectives are to provide an account of the fundamental concepts and current status of the magnetohydrodynamic and gas dynamic theories for solar wind flow past planetary bodies. This includes a critical examination of: (1) the fundamental assumptions of the theories; (2) the various simplifying approximations introduced to obtain tractable mathematical problems; (3) the limitations they impose on the results; and (4) the relationship between the results of the simpler gas dynamic-frozen field theory and the more accurate but less completely worked out magnetohydrodynamic theory. Representative results of the various theories are presented and compared. A number of deficiencies, ambiguities, and suggestions for improvements are discussed, and several significant extensions of the theory required to provide comparable results for all planets, their satellites, and comets are noted.
Document ID
19850004542
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Spreiter, J. R. (Stanford Univ. CA, United States)
Stahara, S. S. (RM Associates, Inc.)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:174132
NASA-CR-174132
Accession Number
85N12850
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2781
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available