Dipole model of the Earth's magnetic field


The dipole model of the Earth's magnetic field is a first order approximation of the rather complex true Earth's magnetic field. Due to effects of the interplanetary magnetic field, and the solar wind, the dipole model is particularly inaccurate at high L-shells, but may be a good approximation for lower L-shells. For more precise work, or for any work at higher L-shells, a more accurate model that incorporates solar effects, such as the Tsyganenko magnetic field model, is recommended.

Equations

The following equations describe the dipole magnetic field.
First, define as the mean value of the magnetic field at the magnetic equator on the Earth's surface. Typically.
Then, the radial and azimuthal fields can be described as
where is the mean radius of the Earth, is the radial distance from the center of the Earth, and is the azimuth measured from the north magnetic pole.
It is sometimes more convenient to express the magnetic field in terms of magnetic latitude and distance in Earth radii. The magnetic latitude, or geomagnetic latitude, is measured northwards from the equator and is related to by. In this case, the radial and azimuthal components of the magnetic field are given by
where in this case has units of Earth radii.

Invariant latitude

Invariant latitude is a parameter that describes where a particular magnetic field line touches the surface of the Earth. It is given by
or
where is the invariant latitude and is the L-shell describing the magnetic field line in question.
On the surface of the earth, the invariant latitude is equal to the magnetic latitude.