Application of Dimensional Analysis to the Problem of Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Energy Coupling

摘要

The constraints imposed by dimensional analyses are used to find how the solar wind-magnetosphere energy transfer rate depends upon interplanetary parameters. The analyses reported here assume that only magnetohydrodynamic processes are important in controlling the rate of energy transfer. The study utilizes ISEE-3 solar wind observations, the AE index, and U/sub T/ from three 10-day intervals during the IMS: Simple linear regression and histogram techniques are used to find the value of the MHD coupling exponent, alpha , which is consistent with observations of magnetospheric response. Once alpha is estimated, the form of the solar wind energy transfer rate is obtained by substitution into an equation of the interplanetary variables whose exponents depend upon alpha . 7 references, 6 figures, 1 table. (ERA citation 10:007560)