How the magnetosphere is driven into the substorm
Journal Article
·
· Journal of Geophysical Research
- Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
This paper puts together several aspects of the substorm phenomena into a scenario subject to quantitative analysis, based on Ampere`s law, magnetic stresses, and the effect of the parallel electric field. As the magnetospheric convection continuously shears the magnetic field, the parallel electric field suddenly switches on when the shear reaches a critical value. The parallel electric field not only accelerates the charged particles to cause the auroral display but also partially decouples the ionosphere from the magnetosphere so that the mgnetospheric convection is enhanced significantly, causing the substorm expansion phase. Pi 2 pulsations are excited by the change of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. The author shows a direct relationship between the parallel potential drop, the enhanced convection rate, and the amplitude of the Pi 2 pulsations. With no adjustable parameter, the relationship shows quantitative agreement with the diverse observations. 41 refs., 6 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 70530
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A2 Vol. 100; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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