Global simulation of geospace electrons: eVlasiator in 3D

Models of the geospace plasma environment have been proceeding towards more realistic descriptions of the solar wind—magnetosphere interaction, from gas-dynamic to MHD and hybrid ion-kinetic models such as the state-of-the-art Vlasiator model. Advances in computational capabilities have enabled global simulations of detailed physics, with some inroads to electron physics made with eVlasiator, specifically, in a meridional 2D+3V simulation.

In this work we present preliminary results from eVlasiator, an offshoot of the Vlasiator model, showing results from a global 3D+3V kinetic electron geospace simulation. Previous work in a spatially 2D environment has shown, despite truncation of some electron physics and use of ion-scale spatial resolution, that realistic electron distribution functions are obtainable within the magnetosphere. This work examines the differences between the spatially 2D and the new spatially 3D results, and describe these in relation to MMS observations. Electron precipitation to the upper atmosphere from these velocity distributions is estimated.