Articles | Volume 29, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-29-759-2011
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-29-759-2011
06 May 2011
 | 06 May 2011

3-D mesoscale MHD simulations of a cusp-like magnetic configuration: method and first results

E. Adamson, A. Otto, and K. Nykyri

Abstract. We present a local mesoscale model of the magnetospheric cusp region with high resolution (up to 300 km). We discuss the construction and implementation of the initial configuration and give a detailed description of the numerical simulation. An overview of simulation results for the case of strongly northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is then presented and compared with data from Cluster 2 spacecraft from 14 February 2003. Results show a cusp diamagnetic cavity (CDC) with depth normal to the magnetospheric boundary on the order of 1–2 RE and a much larger extent of ~5–9 RE tangential to the boundary, bounded by a gradual inner boundary with the magnetospheric lobe and a more distinct exterior boundary with the magnetosheath. These results are qualitatively consistent with observational data.

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