Global numerical simulation of the growth phase and the expansion onset for a substorm observed by Viking
- Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (United States)
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States); and others
The authors report the first global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of an actual magnetospheric substorm, which was recorded by the Viking spacecraft on October 19, 1986. The simulation is driven by IMP 8 solar wind parameters measured upstream of the Earth`s bow shock. The substorm, which had expansion onset at 1132 UT, was caused by a brief period of southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and two weak solar wind shocks. The simulation model includes a self-consistent auroral ionospheric conductance depending directly on the MHD magnetospheric plasma parameters and magnetic field. Synthetic auroral emissions, derived from simulation results, are compared to the Viking images, which show considerable dayside activity preceding the substorm. The authors also compare model-derived synthetic AU and AL indices to geomagnetic measurements. The simulation results are seen to be in reasonable agreement with the observations throughout the growth phase and expansion onset. Moreover, the results allow the authors to form conclusions concerning which essential processes were responsible for the substorm occurrence. These results are a highly encouraging first step leading toward development of a space weather forecasting methodology based on the directly measured solar input. 19 refs., 5 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 227115
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A10 Vol. 100; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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