Investigating Planetary Magnetic Fields: From Mercury to Hot Jupiters

研究行星磁场：从水星到热木星

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-05932
• 负责人: Stanley, Sabine
• 金额: $ 2.7万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=588707
• 关键词: Investigating; Planetary; Magnetic; Fields; Mercury

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.

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，以调查该领域的主要开放问题。 对行星体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。研究行星的深层内部具有挑战性，因为该区域无法直接观察。由于磁场是在行星内部深处产生的，并且延伸到可观测到的地表之外，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（发电机作用）的许多方面尚不清楚。这是因为它是一个非常非线性、复杂的系统，具有极端的控制参数。由于磁场在宇宙中的许多物理过程中都很重要，例如恒星和行星系统的形成、行星大气层的保留以及保护地球上的生命免受有害太阳辐射的影响，因此我们更好地了解磁场是如何产生的至关重要。 PI 的研究项目涉及发电机过程的创新数值模拟，并结合航天器任务的数据，以研究太阳系内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，研究磁场屏蔽对可居住性的影响，并为航天器任务团队提供必要的信息来规划即将进行的行星磁场研究。 通过该提案资助的学员将接受高性能科学计算、数学物理、流体动力学、磁流体动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当前和未来对高素质劳动力的需求。