Three-dimensional interaction of interplanetary shock waves with the bow shock and magnetopause - A comparison of theory with ISEE observations

The reported investigation is concerned with the propagation of the interplanetary shock waves in the solar wind and their three-dimensional interaction with the bow shock and magnetosheath. Formulae are deduced to predict the new position and orientation of the bow shock front after the interaction. To test the understanding of the interplanetary portion of the shock propagation, the obtained results are compared with observations on August 18, 1978, when both ISEE 1 and ISEE 3 were in the solar wind. Two examples of an interplanetary shock wave penetrating into the magnetosphere on October 4, 1978, and August 27, 1978, are examined, taking into account a simple model of the magnetosheath. The results agree with the observed values of the ISEE satellite data within experimental uncertainties.