Solar and Planetary Research at Queen Mary 2017-2020

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We propose to undertake the following research projects.i) We will use supercomputer simulations to examine the evolution of the solar wind - thestream of charged particles that is constantly flowing from the Sun into our solar system.In particular, we will examine why this wind develops turbulence as it flows through interplanetaryspace, and how this turbulence heats the solar wind.ii) We will use supercomputer simulations to examine the low density but very high temperaturegas that lies above the Sun's surface - the solar corona. In particular, we want to understand howmagnetic field lines change their topology and release energy into the surrounding plasma by the process known as reconnection.iii) We will analyse images from the Cassini spacecraft that is currently orbiting Saturn, to examine how Saturn's moons interact with and disturb Saturn's system of rings. We are particularly interested in the F ring which lies near the outer edge of the ring system, and is regularly disturbed by two satellites, Prometheus and Pandora. We are also interestedin the A-ring, which appears to form long-lived clumps or moon-lets that are able to migratethrough the system. Finally, using accurate images of the Saturnian satellites, we will track theirmotion and measure the rate at which tidal energy is dissipated within Saturn.iv) We will attempt to understand more about the formation of the planet Mars. It is believedthat the four inner planets of our solar system formed from collisions between smaller bodiesthat built the planets, and we will use computer simulations to examine this process. We willexamine whether a collision can explain why Mars has a crust that is thicker in the southern hemisphere than in the north, and we will examine the formation of the satellites of Mars.