A global magnetohydrodynamic simulation of magnetospheric dynamics when the IMF is southward: Mapping to the auroral zoneA high resolution global magnetohydrodynamic simulation model is used to investigate magnetospheric dynamics during intervals with southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). When the southward IMF reaches the dayside magnetopause reconnection begins and magnetic flux is convected into the tail lobes. After about 35 m, reconnection begins within the plasma sheet near midnight at x = -14 RE. Later the x-line moves towards the magnetopause. The reconnection occurs just tailward of the region where the tail attaches onto the dipole dominated inner magnetosphere. Later when all the plasma sheet field lines have reconnected a plasmoid moves down the tail. The region of the ionosphere where the energy flux from the magnetosphere is greatest is calculated. The energy flux is confined to a region which approximates the auroral oval.
Document ID
19950011892
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Walker, Raymond J. (California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Ogino, Tatsuki (Nagoya Univ. Toyokawa, Japan)
Ashour-Abdalla, Maha (California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Raeder, Joachim (California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)