Dynamics of the geomagnetic storm

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Space Science Reviews

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00174636· OSTI ID:4814084

Parker, E. N.

Ideas concerning the mechanisms responsible for the geomagnetic storm are reviewed. The dynamical theory of the geomagnetic storm phenomenon is formulated as a problem in elasticity. The observed variations in the field are the strains produced by particle stresses exerted by gases in interplanetary space, by gases enmeshed in the field, and by the gases in the ionosphere. The stresses exerted by interplanetary gases are principally inward, resulting in the initial phase increase of the horizontal component. The stresses exerted by gases enmeshed in the field are principally outward, resulting in the main phase decrease of the horizontal component. The transient sudden commencement is a hydromagnetic wave phenomenon. The main phase is most simply explained by the shock heating of the ions to kev energies at 3 to 5 R_E during the active phase of the storm. The recovery follows then from charge exchange with the ambient neutral hydrogen. The predicted increase in recovery rate at sunspot minimum is verified observationally.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Chicago
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-16-027893
• OSTI ID: 4814084
• Journal Information: Space Science Reviews, Journal Name: Space Science Reviews Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1; ISSN 0038-6308
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
EARTH
ELASTICITY
ENERGY RANGE
GASES
HEATING
HYDROGEN
IONOSPHERE
IONS
KEV RANGE
LEVELS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC STORMS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
SHOCK WAVES
SPACE
SUN
TURBULENCE
VARIATIONS