Menura: a code for simulating the interaction between a turbulent solar wind and solar system bodies

TL;DR

Menura is a novel numerical code that enables self-consistent, global simulations of the interaction between turbulent solar wind and solar system bodies, bridging planetary science and plasma physics.

Contribution

It introduces a new 2-step algorithm for simulating solar wind interactions with celestial bodies, advancing the integration of planetary science and plasma physics.

Findings

First example: solar wind interaction with a comet

Demonstrates the code's ability to model turbulence effects

Provides a foundation for future complex simulations

Abstract

Despite the close relationship between planetary science and plasma physics, few advanced numerical tools allow to bridge the two topics. The code Menura proposes a breakthrough towards the self-consistent modelling of these overlapping field, in a novel 2-step approach allowing for the global simulation of the interaction between a fully turbulent solar wind and various bodies of the solar system. This article introduces the new code and its 2-step global algorithm, illustrated by a first example: the interaction between a turbulent solar wind and a comet.