Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

A HYDROMAGNETIC THEORY OF GEOMAGNETIC STORMS AND AURORAS

Journal Article · · Planetary Space Sci.

A theory of geomagnetic storms, auroras and associated effects is further developed. It depends on motions in the Earth's exosphere or magnetosphere initiated by a combination of pressure and frictional drag of the solar wind and modified and extended by electric fields and currents in the ionosphere. Motion may be non-divergent, streamline flow opposed only by Lorentz forces in the ionosphere and not propagating to Earth, or divergent, non- streamline motion opposed by Lorentz forces in the Earth. The two types of motion are coupled in the E region where the former is identified with free flow of Hall current and the generation of non-streamline motion. The latter is identified with blockage of Hall current, the creation of a polarization field, and hence the generation of streamline motion. A theory of all components of a geomagnetic storm is given in terms of combination of these motions, and their distant, ionospheric and earth currents. This includes a new theory of the preliminary reverse part of the DS field and the transition from the sudden commencement to the main phase of the DS field. It is expected to introduce briefly a theory of auroras based mainly on ionospheric drifts caused by the magnetospheric motions. (auth)

Research Organization:
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Sydney
NSA Number:
NSA-17-012473
OSTI ID:
4706492
Journal Information:
Planetary Space Sci., Journal Name: Planetary Space Sci. Vol. Vol: 9
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

Similar Records

A THEORY OF POLAR GEOMAGNETIC STORMS
Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1959 · Geophysical Journal (U.S.) · OSTI ID:4080893

MOTIONS OF THE AURORA AND RADIOAURORA AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS TO IONOSPHERIC CURRENTS
Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1962 · Planetary Space Sci. · OSTI ID:4749522

THEORIES OF THE GEOMAGNETIC STORM MAIN PHASE
Journal Article · Thu Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1963 · Planetary Space Sci. · OSTI ID:4125680