ON THE EFFECT OF A WEAK INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SOLAR WIND AND THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD

Journal Article · Sat Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ068i012p03555· OSTI ID:4696436

Spreiter, J R; Jones, W P

the presence of a weak interplanetary magnetic field may lead to the formation of a collision-free shock wave upstream from the boundary of the geomagnetic field and to a transition region characterized by an irregular magnetic field in the intervening space. Previous calculations of the coordinates of the shock wave are improved upon by application of recent advances in the theory of gasdynamic shock waves developed for re-entry aerodynamic studies. It is found that the standoff distance of the shock wave is increased significantly over previous estimates and that the new results appear to be at least consistent with observations. Theoretical results are also shown, to illustrate the differences to be anticipated in the transition region when the interplanetary field is aligned parallel or antiparallel to the geomagnetic field in the equatorial plane and when the Alfven Mach number is greater or less than 2. A number of observational results that display properties similar to those calculated are reviewed to indicate that such phenomena may actualiy occur in space. (auth)

• Research Organization: Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-027574
• OSTI ID: 4696436
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 68; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AERODYNAMICS
ALFVEN NUMBER
ASTROPHYSICS
CONFIGURATION
COSMIC RADIATION
EARTH
GAS FLOW
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND METEOROLOGY
GEOPHYSICS
INTERACTIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLANETS
SHOCK WAVES
SUN