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Detailed Reference Information |
Lemon, C., Toffoletto, F., Hesse, M. and Birn, J. (2003). Computing magnetospheric force equilibria. Journal of Geophysical Research 108: doi: 10.1029/2002JA009702. issn: 0148-0227. |
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We describe a method to compute three-dimensional force equilibria in the Earth's magnetosphere. The method is embodied in a code called the MagnetoFriction code which solves a set of ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations that are modified to include a frictional dissipation term in the momentum equation. The friction takes the form of a force which is directed against the fluid motion and is therefore an energy sink. This allows the system to settle into a minimum energy equilibrium. A nonuniform cartesian grid is used along with initial conditions supplied by empirical magnetic field and pressure models. These initial conditions do not, in general, satisfy the force balance condition $vec{J} times vec{B} = nabla_{p}$, and the code must iterate until approximate force balance is achieved. Pressure and magnetic field solutions are presented for several different configurations of the magnetosphere. |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Space Plasma Physics, Experimental and mathematical techniques, Magnetospheric Physics, Planetary magnetospheres (5443, 5737, 6030), Magnetospheric Physics, Numerical modeling, Space Plasma Physics, Numerical simulation studies |
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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 |
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