Latest Post | Page 853 of 1377 | IASbaba

SPEAK TO MENTOR - CALL NOW!

SUBSCRIBE

1-D Simulation Code to Study Earth’s Magnetosphere

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health

In News:

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have developed a generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation code.
It shall study a wide spectrum of electric field structures in near-earth plasma environments or earth’s magnetosphere.
It is expected to help in planning future space missions.

Important value additions:

Formation of Earth’s Magnetosphere

Plasma is the most common state of matter in the universe as a whole.
It consists of a gas of ions and free electrons.
Sun is the major source of plasma deposition in space around the Earth.
It forces some of its plasma towards the earth in the form of the solar wind.
The solar wind carries with it a solar magnetic field, called the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF).
The interaction of the IMF with the earth’s magnetic field creates the magnetosphere of the earth.

Significance of magnetosphere

It shields Earth from solar and cosmic particle radiation and erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind.

Regions of the Earth’s Magnetosphere:

Image Source: Click here

The schematic diagram of Earth’s magnetosphere shown consists of different regions:

Bow shock : It occurs when the Earth’s magnetosphere interacts with the nearby flowing Plasma.
Magnetosheath: Region of space between the magnetopause and the bow shock.
Magnetopause : It is the boundary between the planet’s magnetic field and the solar wind.
Northern tail lobe : Earth’s magnetosphere lobe on the northern side. Magnetic field lines of the lobe point towards the earth.
Southern tail lobe: Earth’s magnetosphere lobe on the southern side.
Plasmasphere: Earth’s magnetosphere consisting of low energy (cool) plasma.
Solar winds: Stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun (corona).

Significance of Study of Plasma Processes:

The plasma processes may hamper the working of satellites that are in the magnetospheric region.
The changes in plasma processes can be deciphered only through computer simulations.
The study will help advance the knowledge of plasma waves, instabilities and effects associated with wave-particle interactions.

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism

It conducts basic and applied research in Geomagnetism (study of dynamics of earth’s magnetic field) and allied fields.
The Institute also supports a World Data Centre for Geomagnetism (WDC, Mumbai), which is the only International centre for Geomagnetic data in South Asia.

Your Name *

Your Email *

Subject

Comments *

Search now.....