A 3D global MHD simulation of Saturnʹs magnetosphere Original Research Article

We present the results of a three dimensional global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of the magnetosphere of Saturn. The model represents the interaction of a magnetized solar wind with a fast rotating, magnetized planet and includes planetary rotation as well as a simplified model of the neutral torus produced by Titan. This neutral cloud acts as a plasma source inside the magnetosphere and can strongly affect plasma densities. We present steady-state solutions for three different interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions and show that the interaction of corotational flow of the inner magnetosphere with the solar wind driven flow depends strongly on the IMF configuration.