HR: 10:35h
AN: SM22B-02    [Abstracts]
TI: Anatomy of Diamagnetic Cusp Cavities - MHD Modeling
AU: * Adamson, E
EM: eric.adamson@gi.alaska.edu
AF: Geophysical Institute University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, United States
AU: Otto, A
EM: ao@why.gi.alaska.edu
AF: Geophysical Institute University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, United States
AU: Nykyri, K
EM: Katariina.Nykyri@erau.edu
AF: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, D-Lehman Center, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States
AB: The Magnetospheric cusps are a key feature of the Earth's magnetosphere, as they offer the solar wind its most direct entry point to the magnetosphere. Regions of significantly depressed magnetic field accompanied by enhanced density and pressure have been identified in the vicinity of the cusps. These regions have been referred to as diamagnetic cavities or the stagnant exterior cusp. Many questions remain with regard to these cavities. In order to investigate these regions, we have implemented a high resolution local three dimensional MHD simulation with an initial configuration representing a cusp-like magnetic configuration. We present simulation results addressing the overall cusp structure and plasma properties in the vicinity of the cavities. Particularly, we address the influence of local and global parameter variations on the formation and evolution of these cusp cavities and plasma dynamics. We utilize specific magnetosheath parameters in order to compare properties of diamagnetic cavities to Cluster2 data of such events.
DE: 2706 Cusp
DE: 2723 Magnetic reconnection (7526, 7835)
DE: 2724 Magnetopause and boundary layers
DE: 2753 Numerical modeling
SC: SPA-Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting