Computing, visualizing and analyzing ion trajectories

Abstract: The motion, velocities and trajectories of ions, and the effect of different
electromagnetic field conditions on their motion are analyzed in detail. A
numerical method is chosen to be used in a model to simulate ion trajectories
in uniform and non-uniform electromagnetic fields. The outputs
are stored in a file format which can be visualized using different software
packages.

Ion trajectories and their response to solar wind magnetic field and induced
electric field are studied using the simulation model. Since this model can
be applied to any solar wind condition, the Earth's moon environment is
chosen as a real example for ion trajectories.
After an analysis of the interaction of solar wind with the moon, a
computational model for simulating its interaction with any other body is
introduced. The outputs of this model are used to study ion trajectories at
the moon wake.

Finally, trajectories and velocities of ions coming from the moon's surface
towards an observer orbiting the moon (in conditions of uniform
electromagnetic field) are studied, and results for different observer
positions are compared and discussed. This has applications for ion
observations from a Lunar orbit.