Adaptive MHD for Space Plasmas: Sun-to-Earth Simulations

Solution adaptive MHD for space plasmas: Sun-to-Earth simulations

T.I. Gombosi, K.G. Powell, D.I. De Zeeuw, C.R. Clauer, K.C. Hansen, W.B. Manchester, A.J. Ridley, I.I. Roussev, I.V. Sokolov, Q.F. Stout, G. Toth
Center for Space Environment Modeling
University of Michigan

Abstract: The first part of this paper reviews some of the challenges for global MHD (magnetohydrodynamics) modeling of the space environment. These include mathematical formulation and discretization of the governing equations, regions of relativistic Alfein speed, and controlling the divergence of the magnetic field. The second part concentrates on modern solution methods. These include high-resolution upwind schemes, block-based adaptive grids, and domain decomposition for parallel computing. The third part describes the application of the code to space weather simulation.

Keywords: magnetohydrodynamics, adaptive MHD, space weather, geoscience, Cartesian adaptive grid, adaptive blocks, parallel data structures, parallel computing, scientific computing

Complete paper. This paper appears in Computers in Science and Engineering 6 (2004), pp. 14-35.

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