Superposed epoch analysis of magnetospheric substorms using solar wind, auroral zone, and geostationary orbit data sets

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6034125

Bargatze, L F; Baker, D N; McPherron, R L

A primary goal in solar wind-magnetosphere studies is to understand how and what role the solar wind plays in controlling the temporal sequence of events during substorms at many widely separated regions within the magnetosphere. Here, the average, correlated behavior of definitive solar wind, auroral zone, and geostationary orbit parameters during isolated substorms is examined. High time resolution (1 min) measurements of two solar wind quantities: B/sub z/ and VB/sub s/, two auroral electrojet indices: AE and AL, and three parameters which define the energetic (30 to 300 keV) electron distribution at geostationary orbit from 13 events are analyzed by using the superposed epoch technique. The zero epoch time used to organize the analyses were defined by the time of energetic electron injection at geostationary orbit. The average variations of the auroral zone and geostationary orbit parameters in relation to the solar wind are discussed in context of the three phase (growth, expansion, and recovery) model of substorms. Notably, we find an approximate 6 minute time lag of expansion phase onset at geostationary orbit relative to time of expansion phase onset in the auroral zone. A possible explanation for this time lag is briefly discussed. 14 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); California Univ., Los Angeles (USA). Inst. of Geophysics and Planetary Physics; California Univ., Los Angeles (USA). Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6034125
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-86-344; CONF-8510254-2; ON: DE86006036
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DATA
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ENERGY RANGE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 10-100
KEV RANGE 100-1000
MAGNETIC STORMS
NUMERICAL DATA
RESOLUTION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
TIME RESOLUTION
TIMING PROPERTIES