A time dependent three-dimensional simulation of the earth's magnetosphere - Reconnection events
(Previously announced in STAR as N82-20718)
Brecht, S. H.↗
Engineering topics
Brecht, S. H.
Publications and source records attributed to Brecht, S. H..
Computer simulation of a geomagnetic substorm
A global two-dimensional simulation of a substormlike process occurring in earth's magnetosphere is presented. The results are consistent with an empirical substorm model - the neutral-line model. Specifically, the introduction of a southward interplanetary magnetic field forms an open magnetosphere. Subsequently, a substorm neutral line forms at about 15 earth radii or closer in the magnetotail, and plasma sheet thinning and plasma acceleration occur. Eventually the substorm neutral line moves tailward toward its presubstorm position.
Lyon, J. G.↗
A simulation study of east-west IMF effects on the magnetosphere
The effect of adding a By magnetic component to a solar wind already carrying a Bz magnetic component is studied using three-dimensional MHD computer simulations. It is found that the tail structure and the Bx lobe fields are rotated and become asymmetric. In addition, a By component is generated in the neutral sheet. These results are found to correlate with observational data.
Brecht, S. H.↗
The effects on the earth's magnetotail from shocks in the solar wind
A new, minimally diffusive MHD computer code has been used to simulate the time-dependent, 2D interaction of the solar wind with the earth's magnetosphere. The equilibrium with a simulated unmagnetized solar wind shows the basic features of the magnetosphere: bow shock, magnetopause, and long magnetotail. A simulated shock in the solar wind shows the presence of shock focussing in the midplane of the magnetotail. This focussing can be important in the energy budget of the plasma sheet and may have an important role in the initiation of substorms.
Lyon, J.↗