EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Wiltberger et al. 2003
Wiltberger, M., Lopez, R.E. and Lyon, J.G. (2003). Magnetopause erosion: A global view from MHD simulation. Journal of Geophysical Research 108: doi: 10.1029/2002JA009564. issn: 0148-0227.

In this paper we use a global magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the magnetosphere to examine the behavior of the magnetopause position when the interplanetary magnetic field suddenly changes from northward to southward. The inward motion of the magnetopause under the influence of a southward IMF is generally referred to as magnetopause erosion. Physical models to explain erosion have been proposed, notably the onion peeling model, a model based on the effects of fringe fields from the Region 1 Birkeland currents and the nightside cross-tail current. The simulation shows behavior consistent with aspects of these models, but it also shows behavior that is most consistent with the major driver of erosion being the growth of the nightside cross-tail current. In particular, the simulation exhibits a marked delay between the arrival of the southward IMF at the magnetopause and the inward motion of the magnetopause. We attribute this delay to the delay in the growth of the nightside current system in response to the southward turning of the IMF.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Numerical modeling, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetopause, cusp, and boundary layers, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics, Magnetospheric Physics, Current systems, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit