Impulsive particle precipitation and concurrent magnetic field changes observed in conjugate areas near L = 4

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA088iA11p09115· OSTI ID:5019213

Lanzerotti, L J; Rosenberg, T J

Using sensitive riometers (30 MHz) and magnetometers at Siple Station, Antarctica, and at four locations in the conjugate area in the northeastern United States and Southern Quebec, we have studied the temporal and spatial extent of the impulsive losses of electrons from the radiation belts and the concurrent accompanying magnetic field variations produced by the changes in ionospheric current systems. The impulsive variations have a short (approx.2--4 s) onset time and aapprox.5--10 s decay time. The observed decay times in the riometer and magnetometer signals are consistent with the recombination times in the ionosphere at approx.90--100 km. Often the magnetic field fluctuations are observed to occur primarily in the east-west direction and are out of phase between the southern and northern hemisphere. These observations suggest that predominantly north-south ionospheric currents and modified and/or produced by such impulsive precipitation. Time delays in the occurence of the events between the northern and southern hemispheres, as well as time and spatial difference observed between the northern hemispheres, and well as time and spatial differences observed between the nrothern hemisphere stations, suggest that irregularly shaped, gradient B drifting patches of precipitating electrons could be the source of these impulsive events.

• Research Organization: Bell Laboratories
• OSTI ID: 5019213
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 88:A11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
RADIATION BELTS
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
GEOMAGNETIC CONJUGACY
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETOSPHERE
RING CURRENTS
TRAPPED ELECTRONS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
640203* - Atmospheric Physics- Magnetospheric Phenomena- (-1987)