3D multiscale mass loaded MHD simulations of the solar wind interaction with Mars Original Research Article

We simulate the solar wind interaction with Mars with the help of a three-dimensional MHD model, which includes mass loading by photoionization, electron impact ionization and charge exchange. The planetary exosphere is composed of thermal and hot hydrogen, and thermal and hot oxygen. The model gives a good fit to the average observed bowshock shape and position. We obtain a significant dependence of the bow shock position on the mass production rates. Our results suggest that mass loading terms of hot oxygen are the most significant ones and that mass loading is not important at solar minimum.