Coupling of IMF B{sub y} variations into the polar ionospheres through interplanetary field-aligned currents
The authors consider the observation that correlations are observed between variations of the geomagnetic fields recorded inside the polar cusps, and changes observed in the B{sub y} component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). In particular, when the IMF is southward pointing, changes observed in the B{sub y} components by satellite in the solar wind are mimiced in variations of the geomagnetic fields seen in the polar regions, where these perturbations are observed to sweep from the cusps toward the poles. The authors argue that the origin of this effect may be the flow of field aligned currents along reconnected field lines into the magnetosphere, and then to the poles, finally linking with field aligned flows within the magnetosphere to connect the two polar regions.
- OSTI ID:
- 166260
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 99, Issue A9; Other Information: PBD: 1 Sep 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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