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Detailed Reference Information
Bennett et al. 1997
Bennett, L., Kivelson, M.G., Khurana, K.K., Frank, L.A. and Paterson, W.R. (1997). A model of the Earth's distant bow shock. Journal of Geophysical Research 102: doi: 10.1029/97JA01906. issn: 0148-0227.

We present a new global model of the Earth's bow shock that is parametrized by the solar wind conditions. We begin with a conic section base model taken to be correct for average solar wind conditions. Then we apply modifications to the base model, based on physical arguments, to account for the changes in the size and shape of the bow shock caused by changes in the prevailing solar wind dynamic pressure, Alfv¿n and sonic Mach numbers, and interplanetary magnetic field orientation. We show that our model matches the location and timing of shock crossings observed, at large downtail distances, by the Galileo spacecraft during December 1990 and December 1992 and by the Pioneer 7 spacecraft during September 1966. Magnetic field and plasma moments in a shock normal coordinate system change across the model shock surface as required by conservation laws. ¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Interplanetary Physics, Planetary bow shocks, Interplanetary Physics, Solar wind plasma, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions, Space Plasma Physics, Kinetic and MHD theory
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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