Comparative Studies of the Interaction and Ionospheric Processes at a Variety of Different "Non-Magnetic" Solar System Bodies

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Numerical simulations of the interactions of fast flowing plasma with non-magnetized bodies are used to isolate the ionospheric phenomena unique to those conditions - and to compare that ionospheric response with ionospheric conditions characteristic of plasma flow past magnetized bodies. In this way, ionospheric morphology and its solar wind or magnetospheric drivers are better understood for both types of ionospheres. The Magneto-Hydrodynamic (MHD) model simulator features spherically symmetric, multi-species capability, and achieves 10 km spatial resolution in the ionospheric regions. The numerical code is developed for Space Weather research purposes, and its application in this research demonstrates the mutually beneficial synergy between the fields of computational fluid dynamics, aerospace engineering, planetary atmospheres, and aeronomy.