Magnetospheric current sheets

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · Radio Sci., v. 8, no. 11, pp. 973-977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/RS008i011p00973· OSTI ID:4378421

Speiser, T W

A review is presented of theories and observations of current sheets in the magnetosphere, emphasizing the magnetopause and tail current sheets. Theoretical models of the magnetopause current sheet can be divided into two types: specular reflection and fluid models containing no external magnetic field, and models with an interplanetary/magnetosheath magnetic field. Understanding of the first type is much better than of the second, although magnetospheric observations indicate that the external magnetic field plays an important role. Most of the theoretical models of the tail current sheet attempt to arrive at an understanding of the reconnection process or start with the assumption that reconnection is important. Observations are reviewed and implications for the models are discussed. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Colorado, Boulder
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-008612
• OSTI ID: 4378421
• Journal Information: Radio Sci., v. 8, no. 11, pp. 973-977, Journal Name: Radio Sci., v. 8, no. 11, pp. 973-977; ISSN RASCA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*MAGNETOPAUSE-- CURRENTS
*MAGNETOSPHERE-- CURRENTS
*MAGNETOTAIL-- CURRENTS
COUPLING
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
N58300* --Physics (Atmospheric)--Magnetospheric Phenomena