HR: 1330h
AN: SM22B-0240    [PDF]
TI: The Response of the Jovian Magnetosphere to Rapid Changes in Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure
AU: * Hansen, K C
EM: kenhan@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, Space Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AU: Gombosi, T I
EM: tamas@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, Space Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AU: Ridley, A J
EM: ridley@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, Space Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AU: De Zeeuw, D L
EM: darrens@umich.edu
AF: Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, Space Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 United States
AB: Recently several papers have been published about the role of solar wind forcing in Jupiter's magnetosphere. These works, based on Galileo magnetic field data, Cassini RPWS data or on theoretical exercises, have improved our understanding of the Jovian magnetosphere. However, there are contradictions between some of the theories and the data, possibly due to the single point nature of the measurements and especially due to the lack of an upstream monitor to measure solar wind conditions. These two issues make determining the cause or driver of an event difficult. Using our global MHD model of the Jovian magnetosphere, we investigate the response of the Jovian magnetosphere to rapid changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure. Since in the model we can tightly control the solar wind input, we are able to isolate cause and effect. These simulations concentrate on compression and expansion events present in the solar wind. We will present the results of idealized cases as well as cases taken from "real" solar wind conditions obtained by propagating the solar wind outward from the Earth. We will analyze the global response of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system by examining magnetospheric changes such as: changes in the magnetic field magnitude, in the magnetic field lead/lag angles and in the plasma density and velocity. In addition, with our coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere model we examine the field aligned currents (FAC) and the auroral convection and potential.
DE: 2740 Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics
DE: 2753 Numerical modeling
DE: 2756 Planetary magnetospheres (5443, 5737, 6030)
DE: 2784 Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions
DE: 6220 Jupiter
SC: SPA - Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting