Simulating the Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interaction During the Matuyama-Brunhes Paleomagnetic Reversal

Abstract

During a paleomagnetic reversal, Earth's geomagnetic field is about 10% of today's magnitude and its topology is far more complex than dipolar. Revealing the solar wind energy transmission during the reversal is of importance for understanding the historic space environment. Using a global magnetohydrodynamic model implemented with a data-reconstructed time-dependent paleomagnetic field, this study simulates the solar wind-magnetosphere interactions during the last Matuyama-Brunhes reversal that occurred about 780,000 years ago. As the magnetosphere shrinks in the midst of the reversal, the stand-off distance of the subsolar magnetopause approaches as close as 3 Re. Moreover, multiple magnetic reconnection sites emerge due to the irregular geomagnetic configuration, opening up many channels on the magnetopause surface for the solar wind to directly access. The power transmission efficiency through the magnetopause increases to 18%.