Plasma convection in the evening sector of the magnetosphere and the nature of the plasmapause
An analysis is given of measurements of two convective velocity components and the density in the ionospheric plasma, as obtained with the Kosmos 184 satellite at a height of 630 km in the subauroral zone within the evening sector during both quiet and magnetically disturbed periods. At quiet times the drift velocity in the region corresponding to the projection of the evening plasmapause bulge is observed to have a smooth behavior. This finding supports the penetration of the large-scale magnetospheric electric field into the plasmasphere but contravenes the presence of an Alfven layer in the plasmapause under steady conditions. The drift pattern of ionospheric plasma observed in the evening sector during quiet periods is in satisfactory agreement with the interpretation of magnetospheric plasma convection proposed by Brice in 1967, as well as with McIlwain's semiempirical model E3A and Volland's model. The analytical Volland model yields estimates for the parameters involved. During magnetically disturbed periods the ionospheric plasma drift exhibits abrupt changes in velocity, indicating that Alfven layers may develop under such conditions. It is concluded that when a steady regime is achieved following a disturbance, the self-consistent configuration of the large-scale electric field in the magnetosphere and of the ionospheric plasma drift becomes smooth because of the dynamoeffects resulting from the reorganization of the neutral-gas wind system, which should clearly be smoothed by gasdynamical effects.
- OSTI ID:
- 7155712
- Journal Information:
- Cosmic Res. (USSR) (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Vol. 13:5; Other Information: Translated from Kosm. Issled.; 13: No. 5, 669-686(1975)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
IONOSPHERE
PLASMA DRIFT
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMAPAUSE
ALFVEN WAVES
CONFIGURATION
CONVECTION
DISTURBANCES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
GASES
KINETICS
PLASMA
WIND
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
640203* - Atmospheric Physics- Magnetospheric Phenomena- (-1987)
640201 - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena