Magnetospheric convection effects at mid-latitudes 3. Theoretical derivation of the disturbance convection pattern in the plasmasphere
A theoretical investigation of the generating mechanisms of the disturbance E x B drifts observed at mid-latitudes in performed, with the purpose of understanding the local time dependence of the average disturbance drifts observed above Saint-Santin (L = 1.8, 47/sup 0/ geomagnetic latitude) and of extending if to other latitudes. To this end, the middle- and low-latitude effects of the two possible generators of electric field disturbances, the solar wind/magnetosphere dynamo, and the ionospheric wind disturbance dynamo, computed by means of a numerical dynamo model of the ionosphere, are systematically compared with the Saint-Santin disturbance drift pattern.Three latitude zones can be distinguished in the resulting picture. In the external regions of the plasmasphere, one finds an extension of the usual picture of high-latitude plasma drifts, eastward in the morning and westward in the afternoon. The calculated drifts compare fairly well with the drifts disturbance models produced from whistler data at L = 4 and from the Millstone Hill radar. At mid-latitudes, between 55/sup 0/ and 20/sup 0/ invariant latitude, we predict that the superposition of the two dynamos produces westward drifts at all local times; this is consistent with the Saint-Santin and Arecibo radar drift data.
- Research Organization:
- CNET/Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Environnement Terrestre et Planetaire, 92131 Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France
- OSTI ID:
- 6034419
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 88:A1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMA DRIFT
DAILY VARIATIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
IONOSPHERE
PLASMASPHERE
SOLAR WIND
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
VARIATIONS
640203* - Atmospheric Physics- Magnetospheric Phenomena- (-1987)
640201 - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
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