Investigating Planetary Magnetic Fields: From Mercury to Hot Jupiters

PI是行星磁场领域的国际领先者。她的团队继续将最先进的计算机模型与行星任务数据的约束相结合，以调查该领域的领先开放问题。 对行星体中磁场产生的研究提供了有关行星结构、动力学和演化的重要信息。研究行星的深层是具有挑战性的，因为该区域不能被直接观测到。由于磁场是在行星的内部深处产生的，并延伸到表面之外，因此磁场可以作为行星内部结构和动力学的重要探测器。 磁场产生过程的许多方面(发电机作用)还没有被很好地理解。这是因为它是一个具有极端控制参数的非常非线性、复杂的系统。由于磁场在宇宙中的许多物理过程中都很重要，如恒星和行星系统的形成，行星大气的保留，以及保护地球上的生命免受有害的太阳辐射的影响，因此我们必须更好地了解它们是如何产生的。 PI的研究计划包括发电机过程的创新数值模拟，以及来自航天器任务的数据，以研究整个太阳系和太阳系以外行星的磁场产生过程。她的工作将确定探测太阳系外行星磁场的可行性，调查磁场屏蔽对宜居性的影响，并为航天器任务团队提供必要的信息，以计划即将到来的行星磁场研究。 将通过这项提议获得资助的学员将接受高性能科学计算、数学物理、流体力学、磁流体力学和行星科学方面的多方面培训，使他们成为学术界或科学和计算行业的熟练候选人。这些技能将有助于满足加拿大目前和未来对高素质劳动力的需求。

The PI is an international leader in the field of planetary magnetic fields. Her group continues to combine state of the art computer models with constraints from planetary mission data in order to investigate leading open questions in the field. The study of magnetic field generation in planetary bodies provides vital information on planetary structure, dynamics and evolution. Studying a planet's deep interior is challenging because the region cannot be observed directly. Because magnetic fields are generated in a planet's deep interior and extend beyond the surface where they are observable, magnetic fields can act as important probes of planetary interior structure and dynamics. Many aspects of the magnetic field generation process (dynamo action) are not well understood. This is because it is a very nonlinear, complex system with extreme control parameters. Because magnetic fields are important in so many physical processes in the universe, such as the formation of stellar and planetary systems, the retention of planetary atmospheres and the protection of life on Earth from harmful solar radiation, it is crucial that we gain a better understanding of how they are generated. The PI’s research program involves innovative numerical simulations of the dynamo process in combination with data from spacecraft missions to study the magnetic field generation process in planets throughout our solar system and beyond. Her work will determine the feasibility of detecting extrasolar planetary magnetic fields, investigate the implications of magnetic field shielding for habitability, and provide spacecraft mission teams with necessary information to plan upcoming planetary magnetic field studies. Trainees who will be funded through this proposal will receive multi-faceted training in high-performance scientific computing, mathematical physics, fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics and planetary science, making them skilled candidates for either academia or scientific and computational industries. These skills will help meet the current and future demand for a highly qualified workforce in Canada.