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A first comparison of POLAR magnetic field measurements and magnetohydrodynamic simulation results for field‐aligned currents
Author(s) -
Fedder J. A.,
Slinker S. P.,
Lyon J. G.,
Russell C. T.,
Fenrich F. R.,
Luhmann J. G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/97gl02608
Subject(s) - interplanetary magnetic field , geophysics , physics , magnetosphere , solar wind , magnetohydrodynamic drive , magnetic field , polar , magnetohydrodynamics , perturbation (astronomy) , earth's magnetic field , computational physics , current (fluid) , field line , ionosphere , mercury's magnetic field , astronomy , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
This letter presents comparisons between POLAR magnetic field measurements and results from a global numerical simulation of the Earth's magnetosphere using WIND measurements of the solar wind parameters as input. The comparison shows that the simulation provides a good representation for the magnetic perturbation associated with an upward Region 1 field‐aligned current (FAC) in the prenoon sector. This current system is caused by the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) negative B y component and also features downward current on open field lines at higher latitudes. The results also show effects caused by a gradual rotation of the IMF northward and a sudden return to its initial dawnward direction. The self‐consistent simulation Birkeland current pattern at ionospheric altitudes is also presented, and its evolution caused by the IMF rotations is discussed.