Effects of interplanetary magnetic field orientation on dayside high-latitude ionospheric convection

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA089iA05p02873· OSTI ID:6653173

Heelis, R A

The Atmosphere Explorder C data base of northern hemisphere ionospheric convection signatures at high latitudes is examined during times when the interplanetary magnetic field orientation is relatively stable. It is found that when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) has its expected garden hose orientation, the center of a region where the ion flow rotates from sunward to antisunward is displaced from local noon toward dawn irrespective of the sign of B/sub y/. Poleward of this rotation region, called the cleft, the ion convection is directed toward dawn or dusk depending on whether B/sub y/ is positive or negative, respectively. The observed flow geometry can be explained in terms of a magnetosphere solar wind interaction in which merging is favored in either the prenoon northern hemisphere or the prenoon southern hemisphere when the IMF has a normal sector structure that is toward or away, respectively.

• Research Organization: Center for Space Sciences, Physics Program, University of Texas at Dallas
• OSTI ID: 6653173
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 89:A5; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMBIPOLAR DIFFUSION
DIFFUSION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH PLANET
EXPLORER SATELLITES
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
ION DRIFT
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLANETS
SATELLITES