A simple simulation of a plasma void: Applications to Wind observations of the lunar wake

Abstract

Previously, the formation of the lunar wake was considered from a magnetohydrodynamic perspective. However, recent Wind particle and field observations suggest the lunar wake may be formed by kinetic processes: those microphysical processes not considered in an MHD formalism. Unfortunately, a full multidimensional and self‐consistent kinetic simulation of the lunar wake is beyond current means. However, some elements of the kinetic structure can be simulated via a simple one‐dimensional electrostatic particle‐in‐cell simulation. We present a self‐consistent simulation of a cross‐sectional element of a plasma void. Essentially, wakeward directed ion beams are formed at the flanks of the simulated void, consistent with the Wind observations of counterstreaming ion beams in the wake region. These wakeward directed beams are generated by ambipolar electric fields formed at the wake edges. Other structures observed by Wind are also seen in the simulation, including an electrostatically turbulent central wake region that causes the wake to fill‐in and a rarefaction wave emanating outward from the wake.