A computer model of the earth's magnetosphere

The interaction of the solar wind with the earth magnetosphere is investigated theoretically by means of three-dimensional MHD simulations, with a focus on the effects of changes in the Bz component of the IMF. A high-resolution (0.5 earth radii) version of the model of Ogino et al. (1986) is employed, and the results are presented in a series of computer-generated maps and diagrams and characterized in detail. Bz of -5 nT is found to be associated with dipolar magnetic-field lines near the earth and very concave lines in the magnetotail, while Bz of +5 nT produces a narrow finger of closed field lines extending into the polar cap. Both IMF orientations have sunward convection near the noon-midnight meridian and region-1-type field-aligned currents on both sides of the plasma-sheet extension.