Interstellar medium magnetic field in bow shock modelling

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the impact of interstellar (IS) magnetic field on stellar shocks existence, shape and size in the stellar wind (SW) vs interstellar medium (ISM) numerical models. Design/methodology/approach Comparison of hydrodynamics (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models results with or without ISM magnetic field, its intensity and ISM parameters. Findings ISM magnetic field facilitates formation and stabilises bow shocks around all astrophysical objects. ISM magnetic field may also be one of the reasons for a bow shock existence around the Sun. Practical implications ISM magnetic field should be implemented in MHD and future kinetic numerical models of the SW interaction with ISM plasma. Originality/value This paper presents the results of HD and MHD models of bow shocks and the importance of ISM magnetic field implementation, according to astronomical bow shock observations. The study also presents a review of the most important papers showing the numerical results of bow shock formation.