The accuracy of present models of the high altitude polar magnetosphere
| Autor: | Christopher T. Russell, F. R. Fenrich, Janet G. Luhmann |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2001 |
| Předmět: |
Physics
Atmospheric Science Aerospace Engineering Magnetosphere Astronomy and Astrophysics Atmospheric sciences Computational physics Geophysics Polar wind Space and Planetary Science Magnetosphere of Saturn Physics::Space Physics Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics General Earth and Planetary Sciences Magnetopause Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics Interplanetary magnetic field Magnetosphere of Jupiter Mercury's magnetic field Magnetosphere particle motion |
| Zdroj: | Advances in Space Research. 28:1707-1716 |
| ISSN: | 0273-1177 |
| Popis: | The Polar satellite has explored the high-latitude, high-latitude magnetosphere out to 9 Earth radii (Re). The magnetic field data returned from this mission can be used both to provide data for new empirical models and to test existing models. Tests include comparing the observed location of the polar cusp with its position in the empirical models and comparing the strength of the magnetic field in the surrounding region. Near the cusp the magnetosphere is quite sensitive to solar wind conditions. In particular the energy density of the cusp plasma depends on the pressure of the solar wind applied to the interface of the cusp and the sheath. The applied pressure in turn depends on the shape of the magnetopause and the orientation of that interface, both controlled by the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models provide a coarse picture of the magnetosphere at high latitudes. While generally quite realistic, these too require testing against observations because even the MHD models must make some simplifying assumptions. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
Full Text from ScienceDirect