Determination of magnetopause position using MHD simulations and 2-D soft X-ray images
Abstract
Global MHD models reproduce the whole magnetosphere and can be used to predict the magnetopause position. Moreover, there are a variety of empirical magnetopause models developed exclusively for predictions of the magnetopause standoff distance and shape. However, predictions from the different models do not match each other, especially under disturbed solar wind conditions. We simulate a real event with strong magnetospheric compression during northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) with a strong east-west component. We produce soft X-ray images for this event using software developed for the forthcoming Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission. Firstly, we determine the magnetopause position directly from the MHD simulations and show that this is difficult to ascertain under extremely disturbed conditions. Secondly, we present a method of magnetospheric masking developed for removing high magnetospheric density in the MHD simulation. Thirdly, we produce and analyze soft X-ray images from the MHD simulation. We discuss various methods of extracting the magnetopause position from the 2-D images and evaluate these methods with respect to the simulations.
- Publication:
-
43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E1184S