Magnetic barrier in case of a southward interplanetary magnetic field

Variations of the plasma density and magnetic field intensity across the ma gnetosheath in the case of a southward directed interplanetary magnetic fie ld (IMF) are discussed. It is shown that the magnetic field intensity incre ases on approaching the magnetopause, which confirms the existence of the m agnetic barrier in front of the magnetopause in the case of a southward IMF , as well as for a northward IMF. In the vicinity of the magnetopause, the magnetic field intensity varies insignificantly, and thus a plateau of the function of the magnetic field B(x) tin GSM coordinate system) occurs. The intensity of the magnetic field at the plateau region agrees with the magne tosheath model by Pudovkin et al. (Ann. Geophysicae 13 (1995) 828). (C) 200 1 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.