Location of the magnetopause using Chapman-Ferraro equation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the location of the magnetopause subsolar point using the Chapman-Ferraro equations, specifically addressing the differences between the simple CF equation and the one with the 21/3 factor. The participants clarify that the simple equation provides the midday radius, while the equation with the additional term is more applicable for dawn or dusk calculations. Key variables discussed include solar wind density, velocity, and magnetic field strength, with references to the magnetic permeability of free space (μ0) and the Earth's magnetic field strength (BE).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Chapman-Ferraro equations
  • Knowledge of solar wind properties (density and velocity)
  • Familiarity with magnetic field concepts (BE and μ0)
  • Basic grasp of astrophysical terminology related to magnetopause
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation and applications of the Chapman-Ferraro equations
  • Study the impact of solar wind parameters on magnetopause location
  • Explore the role of magnetic permeability in astrophysical contexts
  • Examine the differences between subsolar and dawn/dusk magnetopause calculations
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students studying space physics, particularly those interested in magnetospheric dynamics and solar wind interactions with planetary magnetic fields.

Kovac
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Hello,

Lets say you need to calculate the location of the magnetopause subsolar point on earth and you only have this information:

> Solar wind proton number density: 10 cm−3

> Solar wind speed: 700 km s−1

Chapman_ferraro equations:

What is the difference between the above chapman-ferraro equations? Why does one of them have 2^1/3 in front and one doesnt? What does the "pl" & "E" stand for?

Which one is more applicable to my case scanario?
 

Attachments

  • chapman_ferraro_eq.PNG
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It might help to know what source those two equations came from.
 
My suspicion is that the simple CF equation gives the midday (subsolar) radius, and that the added term of; 2^(1/3) = 1.26; gives the dawn or dusk radius.
 
Ibix said:
It might help to know what source those two equations came from.
These equations are coming from lecture slides.
 
Baluncore said:
My suspicion is that the simple CF equation gives the midday (subsolar) radius, and that the added term of; 2^(1/3) = 1.26; gives the dawn or dusk radius.
So if you want realistic values, is it the second equation to be used? Because both give different results
 
Kovac said:
Because both give different results
They are different because they are applied at different times of the day.
The magnetopause is not a spherical surface with one radius.
 
Ibix said:
It might help to know what source those two equations came from.
Here are both equations mentioned in the slides.

 

Attachments

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Baluncore said:
They are different because they are applied at different times of the day.
The magnetopause is not a spherical surface with one radius.
Alright, could you help me understand what the signs in the denominator stands for.
What is the B in the numerator?
I assume the last term in the denominator is the solar wind velocity, the middle term pressure? And the u0 term is what?
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetopause

According to this link the p= density of the solar wind, v = velocity, B=magnetic field strength of the planet.
How do I get the μ0? Can I get it through the proton number density?
 
  • #11
Kovac said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetopause

According to this link the p= density of the solar wind, v = velocity, B=magnetic field strength of the planet.
How do I get the μ0? Can I get it through the proton number density?
##B_{E}## and ##\mu_{0}## characterize the magnetic properties of the planet. The magnetic field of the Earth can be modeled as a magnetic dipole (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_model_of_the_Earth's_magnetic_field), with the value of the field at the Earth's surface along the equator taking the value ##B_{E}=3.12\times10^{-5}\text{ tesla}##. And the magnetic permeability of vacuum, ##\mu_{0}=1.26\times10^{-6}{\rm \ N/A^{2}}##, is a basic constant of electromagnetism.
 
  • #12
renormalize said:
##B_{E}## and ##\mu_{0}## characterize the magnetic properties of the planet. The magnetic field of the Earth can be modeled as a magnetic dipole (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_model_of_the_Earth's_magnetic_field), with the value of the field at the Earth's surface along the equator taking the value ##B_{E}=3.12\times10^{-5}\text{ tesla}##. And the magnetic permeability of vacuum, ##\mu_{0}=1.26\times10^{-6}{\rm \ N/A^{2}}##, is a basic constant of electromagnetism.
Are you sure about u0? Because it seems it should be 4pi * 10^-7 as it is the magnetic permiability of free space:
http://www.sp.ph.imperial.ac.uk/~mkd/AdvancedOption3solutions.pdf
 

Attachments

  • mu0.PNG
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  • #13
Here are the first 4 pages of chap-8, The Handbook of Geophysics and Space Environments.
It defines the CF equation you should use and the variables.
 

Attachments

  • #15
renormalize said:
Try multiplying out ##4\times 3.14159\times 10^{-7}##. What do you get?
Yes correct, my bad!
 
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  • #16
Baluncore said:
Here are the first 4 pages of chap-8, The Handbook of Geophysics and Space Environments.
It defines the CF equation you should use and the variables.
So in the equation density p= mass of proton x proton density of the solar wind x 1000 000 (conversion between kgcm^-3 to kgm^-3).
B = M/r^3 where M= magnetic dipole of the planet in question, r= radius of the planet in question.
μ0= 4pi x 10^-7 Vs/Am [magnetic permiability of free space]
u= solar wind velocity.

But I still dont understand why the second equation has 2^1/3 in front? Which one is more correct if you want to calculate for earth?
 
  • #17
Kovac said:
But I still dont understand why the second equation has 2^1/3 in front? Which one is more correct if you want to calculate for earth?
In post #7, the lower RHS of your attachment reads, as best as I can OCR;
"Assuming B=0 In the magnetosheath the induced Bmp, must cancel the geomagnetic dipole field in this region. This yields

Bmp = Bdipole(Rmp)

However, just inside the magnetosphere, B will increase the total B to

B = 2⋅Bdipole⋅(Rmp) = 2^(1/3) * ....
"
Do you want the Rmp, or do you want B ?
 

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