Interaction of interplanetary shock waves with the bow shock‐magnetopause system

Abstract

The collision of interplanetary shock waves with the bow shock wave‐magnetopause system is considered both in the gas‐dynamic and magnetohydrodynamic approximations. It is shown that the shock wave is reflected from the magnetopause as a rarefaction wave which, in turn, is reflected from the rearward side of the bow shock. This secondary rarefaction wave arrives at the magnetosphere after a time interval of 3–5 min after the interplanetary shock wave's arrival. The rarefaction wave decreases the flow pressure on the magnetosphere and causes the reverse (i.e., outward) motion of the magnetopause. With the help of an approximate solution of the differential equations the problem of rarefaction wave reflection from the magnetosphere is considered. The law of the subsolar point motion of the magnetosphere during the abrupt shock‐like perturbation is obtained. The experimental data confirm the theoretical results.