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Validation study of the magnetically self‐consistent inner magnetosphere model RAM‐SCB
Author(s) -
Yu Yiqun,
Jordanova Vania,
Zaharia Sorin,
Koller Josef,
Zhang Jichun,
Kistler Lynn M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2011ja017321
Subject(s) - physics , magnetosphere , ring current , computational physics , electric field , magnetic field , van allen radiation belt , geomagnetic storm , flux (metallurgy) , earth's magnetic field , materials science , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
The validation of the magnetically self‐consistent inner magnetospheric model RAM‐SCB developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory is presented here. The model consists of two codes: a kinetic ring current–atmosphere interaction model (RAM) and a 3‐D equilibrium magnetic field code (SCB). The validation is conducted by simulating two magnetic storm events and then comparing the model results against a variety of satellite in situ observations, including the magnetic field from Cluster and Polar spacecraft, ion differential flux from the Cluster/CODIF (Composition and Distribution Function) analyzer, and the ground‐based SYM‐H index. The model prediction of the magnetic field is in good agreement with observations, which indicates the model's capability of representing well the inner magnetospheric field configuration. This provides confidence for the RAM‐SCB model to be utilized for field line and drift shell tracing, which are needed in radiation belt studies. While the SYM‐H index, which reflects the total ring current energy content, is generally reasonably reproduced by the model using the Weimer electric field model, the modeled ion differential flux clearly depends on the electric field strength, local time, and magnetic activity level. A self‐consistent electric field approach may be needed to improve the model performance in this regard.

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