Global MHD simulation of the magnetosphere and ionosphere for 1930–2330 UT on November 3, 1993

Using a three‐dimensional, global MHD simulation of the interaction of the Earth's magnetosphere with the solar wind, we examine the configuration of the magnetosphere and ionosphere during the hours from 1930 to 2330 UT on November 3, 1993. Direct measurements of the solar wind are not available. IMP 8 was in the magnetosheath near the dusk flank, and the simulation was run using IMP 8 measurements as an approximation for the solar wind parameters. The simulation prediction of the field and plasma quantities at the IMP 8 position were then compared with the recorded measurements, leading to a correction to the solar wind input to the simulation. Though this process could be iterated, we stopped after making one correction. The polar cap convection patterns compare well with patterns from the assimilated mapping of ionospheric electrodynamics (AMIE) analysis for this period. However, the MHD simulation predicts much higher cross polar cap potentials. We also examine the magnetopause position at the subsolar region and compare to measurements made by the geosynchronous spacecraft.