X-Ray Emission from the Terrestrial Magnetosheath

I.P. Robertson, M.R. Collier, T.E. Cravens, and M. Fok


X-rays are generated throughout the terrestrial magnetosheath as a consequence
of charge transfer collisions between heavy solar wind ions and geocoronal
neutrals. The solar wind ions resulting from these collisions are left in highly
excited states and emit extreme ultraviolet or soft X-ray photons. A model has
been created to simulate this X-ray radiation. Previously simulated images were
created as seen from an observation point outside the geocorona. The locations
of the bow shock and magnetopause were evident in these images. The cusps,
however, were not taken into account in the model. We have now used dynamic
three-dimensional simulations of the solar wind, magnetosheath and magnetosphere
that were performed by the CCMC at Goddard Space Flight Center for the March
31st , 2001 geomagnetic storm. We have generated a sky map of the expected X-Ray
emissions as would have been seen by an observer at the IMAGE space craft
location at that time. We have also generated images as seen from an observation
point well outside the geocorona. In both cases the presence of the cusps can
clearly be observed.

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Presentation, Fall A.G.U. Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 13-17 December 2004