A magnetohydrodynamic model of solar wind interaction with asteroid gaspra.

The solar wind response to a small-sized magnetized body is modeled on the basis of a two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma description including Hall current corrections (Hall-MHD model). Basic features of the magnetic signatures observed near Galileo's closest approach to asteroid Gaspra are reproduced, assuming Gaspra's magnetic dipole momentto be of the order of 10(14) ampere.meters squared and tilted to the solar wind flow direction at an angle of about 45 degrees .