The solar wind control of the magnetopause Original Research Article

The solar wind pressure and Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field control the magnetopause shape and size. The model of paraboloid shaped magnetopause at distances up to −30RE in the nightside of the Earth is presented here. The magnetopause subsolar distance and tail flaring that completely identify the paraboloidal magnetopause are obtained using data of satellite crossings of the Earthʹs magnetopause. The average values of these parameters are calculated separately for different north-south directions of interplanetary magnetic field. It is shown that magnetopause subsolar distance is larger and flaring is smaller for northward Bz than those for southward one. The quantitative relationship between magnetopause form and position and solar wind parameters is obtained.