MODELING MESOSCALE PROCESSES IN THE GLOBAL GEOSPACE SYSTEM

Intermediate or mesoscale processes mediate the transfer of mass, mome ntum, and energy across the dynamic solar wind-magnetosphere interface , and the propagation of this input through the system to the ionosphe re and atmosphere. The Dartmouth-Berkeley-Minnesota theory team has id entified a number of mesoscale phenomena to be investigated as part of the GGS program, including: (1) effects of upstream density fluctuati ons on magnetopause dynamics, (2) three-dimensional reconnection, (3) magnetopause depletion layer studies, (4) ring current interaction wit h Pc 1 and Pc 5 waves, (5) generation of ion Larmor-scale current laye rs in the near Earth plasmasheet, (6) test particle studies in the mag netotail, (7) simulation of magnetosphere- ionosphere coupling includi ng effects of kinetic Alfven waves and (8) auroral acceleration region studies of the effects of kinetic Alfven waves on particle distributi on functions. A broad range of techniques will be implemented includin g ideal and reduced MHD, two fluid, hybrid, particle-in-cell and test particle simulations. Detailed comparison of simulation results with G GS satellite and ground based data will be undertaken.