DIX Planetary Science Seminar

The four gas planets in our solar system host unique magnetic fields. Intrinsic magnetic fields are generated deep inside planets by dynamo action. This process requires regions of electrically conducting material and energy sources to maintain the dynamo. Thus, we can learn about the deep interiors of planets, including their structures and dynamics, by investigating their magnetic fields.

In this talk, I'll explore some of the interesting questions and possible answers about planetary interiors that have come from studies of planetary magnetism, in particular through 3-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations. I will discuss how the geometry of the dynamo region and the presence of stably stratified layers affect magnetic field generation. I will also discuss the differences between dipolar and non-dipolar magnetic fields, and why the latter are less unusual than the community commonly thinks.