Interaction of interplanetary MHD shock waves with the magnetopause

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973 · Astrophysics and Space Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00648674· OSTI ID:4360709

Shen, Wen-Wu

The interaction between a shock-wave and the magnetcpause is formulated on the basis of one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics. The magnetopause is assumed to be a tangential discontinuity, and the magnetic field is limited to the case of perpendicularity. Both the forward and reverse shocks' impact on the magnetopause are considered and analyzed separately. The forward shock- magnetopause interaction results in a transmitted shock, a tangential discontinuity, and a simple rarefaction wave. The reverse shock- magnetopause interaction creates a transmitted shock, a tangential discontinuity, and a reflected wave. The propagation of an SSC signal which is related to an interplanetary shock-induced geomagnetic storm's onset-time on Earth is discussed in general terms. It was found in earlier work (Shen and Dryer, 1972) that the propagation velocity of an interplanetary shock is decreased by about 10 approximates 15% following its impact with the Earth's bow shock; the present study shows that its velocity is then suddenly increased by a factor of two to three after impact with the magnetopause. The fast propagating shock-wave inside the magnetosphere degenerates into a hydromagnetic wave as it advances into an increasing intensity of the distorted dipole geomagnetic field.

• Research Organization: Texas Instruments Inc., Dallas
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-019261
• OSTI ID: 4360709
• Journal Information: Astrophysics and Space Science, Journal Name: Astrophysics and Space Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 24; ISSN 0004-640X
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*MAGNETOPAUSE-- SHOCK WAVES
*SHOCK WAVES-- INTERPLANETARY SPACE
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INTERACTIONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
VELOCITY