Magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the bifurcation of tail lobes during intervals with a northward interplanetary magnetic field

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL011i010p01018· OSTI ID:6249146

Ogino, T; Walker, R J

The interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere during a northward interplanetary magnetic field was studied by using a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic model. For a northward interplanetary magnetic field of 5 nT, the plasma sheer thickens near the noon-midnight meridian plane. When projected onto the polar cap this appears as a narrow channel extending from midnight towards noon. This plasma pattern is associated with three pairs of convection cells. The high latitude sunward convection and northern B/sub z/ Birkeland current are caused by magnetic merging in the polar region.

• Research Organization: Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• OSTI ID: 6249146
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 11:10; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
MECHANICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
SIMULATION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS