We study the plasma environments of small bodies in the outer solar system, such as the moons of Jupiter and Saturn or the dwarf planet Pluto. We apply the following methods:

• Numerical plasma simulations with the hybrid code AIKEF
  (https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/theophys/people/jmueller/aikef)
• Tracing techniques for energetic (relativistic) magnetospheric particles
• Analysis of spacecraft magnetic field data
• Development of analytical models with paper and pen

We have open positions for PhD students who are interested in the physics of magnetospheres in the outer solar system and moon-plasma interactions. Please contact us for more information!

Latest News: MOSS group researchers Hannes Arnold and Lucas Liuzzo discover signatures of a water vapor plume at Jupiter’s moon Europa in magnetic field data from 2000:  https://cos.gatech.edu/news/evidence-contact-europa-plume-uncovered-old-spacecraft-data

Latest News: MOSS group undergraduate researcher Ben Breer publishes study on “Energetic Ion Dynamics at Europa” in JGR (Space Physics): https://cos.gatech.edu/hg/item/627209

Contact:
Sven Simon
Associate Professor, Planetary and Space Physics
School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology
311 Ferst Drive
Atlanta, GA 30332-0340
USA
Tel.: (+1) 404-385-1509
Email: sven.simon@eas.gatech.edu