Small-scale deformation of the bow shock |
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Authors: | K Jelínek Z Něme?ek J Šafránková |
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Institution: | Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, V Holesovickach 2, 180 00 Prague, Czech Republic |
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Abstract: | The prediction of the bow shock location is a proof of our understanding of the processes governing the solar wind – magnetosphere interaction. However, the models describing the bow shock location as a function of upstream parameters are based on a statistical processing of bow shock crossings observed by a single spacecraft. Such crossings locate the bow shock in motion, i.e., in a non-equilibrium state and this fact can be a source of significant errors. We have carefully analyzed a long interval of simultaneous observations of the bow shock and magnetopause and another interval of bow shock observations at two well-separated points. Our results suggest that often a small-scale deformation of the bow shock front due to magnetosheath fluctuations is the most appropriate interpretation of observations. Since the low-frequency magnetosheath variations exhibit largest amplitudes, a simultaneous bow shock displacement over a distance of 10–15 RE can be observed. We suggest that bow shock models can be probably improved if the tilt angle would be implemented as a parameter influencing the bow shock location in high latitudes. |
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Keywords: | Solar wind Bow shock Magnetopause Bow shock models |
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