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Fedder & Lyon 1995
Fedder, J.A. and Lyon, J.G. (1995). The Earth’s magnetosphere is 165 RE long: Self-consistent currents, convection, magnetospheric structure, and processes for northward interplanetary magnetic field. Journal of Geophysical Research 100: doi: 10.1029/94JA02633. issn: 0148-0227.

The subject of this paper is a self-consisten, magnetohydrodynamic numerical realization for the Earth's magnetosphere which is in a quasi-steady dynamic equilibrium for a due northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Although a few hours of steady northward IMF are required for this asymptotic state to be set up, it should still be of considerable theoretical interest because it constitutes a ''ground state'' for the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction. Moreover, particular features, of this ground state magnetosphere should be observable even under less extreme solar wind conditions. Certain characteristics of this magnetosphere, namely, NBZ Birkeland currents, four-cell ionospheric convection, a reltively weak cross-polar potential, and a prominent flow boundary layer, are widely expected. Other characteristics, such as no open tail lobes, no Earth-connected magnetic flux beyond 155 RE downstream, magnetic merging in a closed topology at the cusps, and a ''tadpole'' shaped magnetospheric boundary, might not be expected. In this paper, we will present the evidence for this unusual but interesting magnetospheric equilibrium. We will also discuss our present understanding of this singular state. ¿American Geophysical Union 1995

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Current systems, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetotail, Space Plasma Physics, Numerical simulation studies
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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