Modeling Earth’s
magnetosphere.

This is a kinematic teaching model, not a numerical MHD solution or a forecast. Magnetic field lines show topology; moving pink markers show conventional current direction, while green particles represent auroral precipitation. The diffuse torus and plasma sheet use illustrative relative-pressure shading; amber markers trace drift and bulk plasma transport. Cyan plumes and upward-moving tracers represent thermal polar ion outflow, not auroral precipitation. Polar wind continues under northward IMF. Field-line motion, plasma flow, and electrical current are different quantities.

The dayside distance uses proton dynamic pressure P = mₚnv² and a dipole pressure-balance scaling of 10 R_E at 2 nPa (distance ∝ P^−1/6). The remaining geometry is schematic. The tail is truncated; auroral altitude and current thickness are enlarged for visibility. Pressure volumes, transport speeds, animation time, and auroral brightness are illustrative. The asymmetric ring-current plasma volume is inspired by high-pressure regions in simulation visualizations; it is not a fitted HEIDI distribution. IMF B_y, dipole tilt, northward-IMF lobe reconnection, Region 2 currents, and substorm timing are omitted.

Visualization references: NASA: ring-current pressure volume · NASA: magnetotail fields and flow · NASA: polar wind. Physics: NASA: reconnection and the Dungey cycle · NASA: current systems. Earth texture: NASA Earth Observatory.