Browsing by Author "Tofforetto, Grank"

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    A Method to Compute Three Dimensional Magnetospheric Equilibria with Dipole Tilt and its Application in Estimating Magnetic Flux Tube Volume
    (2011) Zheng, Liheng; Tofforetto, Grank
    In this thesis we describe a new version of a magneto-friction model, which was developed for computing the magnetospheric equilibrium that includes an arbitrary Earth's dipole tilt and interplanetary magnetic field. We also describe the algorithms of this new friction code that trace magnetic field lines, locate the neutral sheet, and identify the magnetopause In addition, we present a generalized theory for calculating magnetic flux tube volume in the magnetotail, in an attempt to generalize the Wolf [2006] empirical formula, and describe a method for estimating flux tube volume from measurements at geosynchronous orbit. This new method has been tested against various equilibrated magnetospheres generated by the new friction code. Although still incomplete, the method exhibits promising features, and is to be completed in the future.