We present the lunar wake current systems when the Moon is assumed to be a resistive body, absorbing the solar wind plasma. We show that in the transition regions between the plasma void, the expanding rarefaction region, and the interplanetary plasma there are three main currents. The generated currents induce magnetic fields within these regions and perturb the field lines there.
We use a three-dimensional, self-consistent hybrid model of plasma (particle ions and fluid electrons) to show the flow of these three currents. First we identify the different plasma regions, separated by the currents, then we show how the currents depend on the interplanetary magnetic field direction.
Created 2012-10-25 22:43:55 by Mats Holmström Last changed 2012-10-25 22:43:55 by Mats Holmström
