Antisunward space current below the Magsat level during magnetic storms and its possible connection with partial ring current in the Magnetosphere

Journal Article · Thu Feb 28 04:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JB090iB03p02465· OSTI ID:5837691

Suzuki, A; Yanagisawa, M; Fukushima, N

It is possible to calculate, with the Magsat data, the total amount of electric current passing through the plane enclosed by the Magsat orbit, from the line integration of the observed magnetic field component tangential to the Magsat orbit, i.e., a direct application of Ampere's theorem. After eliminating the spurious effect arising from the earth's rotation under the Magsat orbit, it is concluded that the space current of a few million amp. flows antisunward below the Magsat level during magnetic storms, whereas such a space current is almost absent on quiet condition. The depression in the horizontal intensity of geomagnetic field in low latitudes is noticeably greater on the duskside than on the dawnside, especially at the developing stages of magnetic storms. Combining these two observations, we may conclude that 10--20% of the westward ring (or shell) current in the dusk magnetosphere will close its current circuit with antisunward field-aligned current in the magnetosphere connected with a net horizontal current flowing in the ionosphere.

• Research Organization: College of Liberal Arts, Saga University, Japan
• OSTI ID: 5837691
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 90:B3; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CALCULATION METHODS
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC STORMS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MEASURING METHODS
REMOTE SENSING
RING CURRENTS
SATELLITES