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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • cavity mode
  • dynamic pressure
  • global MHD

Index Terms

  • Magnetospheric Physics: Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions
  • Magnetospheric Physics: MHD waves and instabilities
  • Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere: inner
  • Magnetospheric Physics: Numerical modeling

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 36, L13101, 5 PP., 2009
doi:10.1029/2009GL039045

Magnetospheric cavity modes driven by solar wind dynamic pressure fluctuations

S. G. Claudepierre

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA

M. Wiltberger

High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, USA

S. R. Elkington

Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA

W. Lotko

Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA

M. K. Hudson

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA

We present results from Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry (LFM) global, three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction. We use these simulations to investigate the role that solar wind dynamic pressure fluctuations play in the generation of magnetospheric ultra-low frequency (ULF) pulsations. The simulations presented in this study are driven with idealized solar wind input conditions. In four of the simulations, we introduce monochromatic ULF fluctuations in the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure. In the fifth simulation, we introduce a continuum of ULF frequencies in the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure fluctuations. In this numerical experiment, the idealized nature of the solar wind driving conditions allows us to study the magnetospheric response to only a fluctuating upstream dynamic pressure, while holding all other solar wind driving parameters constant. The simulation results suggest that ULF fluctuations in the solar wind dynamic pressure can drive magnetospheric ULF pulsations in the electric and magnetic fields on the dayside. Moreover, the simulation results suggest that when the driving frequency of the solar wind dynamic pressure fluctuations matches one of the natural frequencies of the magnetosphere, magnetospheric cavity modes can be energized.

Received 8 May 2009; accepted 2 June 2009; published 1 July 2009.

Citation: Claudepierre, S. G., M. Wiltberger, S. R. Elkington, W. Lotko, and M. K. Hudson (2009), Magnetospheric cavity modes driven by solar wind dynamic pressure fluctuations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L13101, doi:10.1029/2009GL039045.

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