Magnetosphere modeling using MHD with anisotropic pressure
Abstract
In several space physics systems, including the magnetosphere, the parallel and perpendicular (with respect to the magnetic field) components of the pressure tensor can become significantly different. The BATS-R-US code has recently been extended with the capability of solving the magnetohydrodynamic equations with an anisotropic ion pressure. The anisotropy is limited by instabilities and particle-particle and particle-wave interactions. These effects are taken into account as parameterized source terms. We use the total energy equation in combination with the two pressure equations so that we use a conservative scheme as much as possible. This is important to correctly capture the bow shock. We also have the option of allowing the electron temperature to be different from the ion temperature(s). In our current model the separate electron temperature is assumed to be isotropic. Our preliminary results indicate that using anisotropic ion pressure instead of isotropic pressure gives significantly different results. In this talk we will present a systematic comparison between the isotropic and anisotropic MHD models. We will use observational data from the WIND and Cluster satellites to validate our new model for the quiet magnetosphere as well as for magnetic storms.
- Publication:
-
38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010cosp...38.2066T