Explanation for anomalous equatorial ionospheric electric fields associated with a northward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL006i004p00301· OSTI ID:6250958

Kelley, M C; Fejer, B G; Gonzales, C A

Anomalous reversals of the zonal equatorial electric field component have sometimes been observed when the interplanetary magnetic field turns northward from a steady southerly direction. We suggest that this reversal is associated with a sudden change in the convection electric field in the magnetosphere and present measurements to support this explanation. Although slower variations in the convection field are shielded from the low latitude ionosphere by polarization charges at the inner edge of the ring current, these charges may require an hour or more to vary. A sudden decrease in the crosstail electric field will thus be accompanied by a dusk-dawn perturbation electric field across the inner magnetosphere.

• Research Organization: School of Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853
• OSTI ID: 6250958
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 6:4; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONVECTION
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EQUATOR
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
RING CURRENTS