Overview of Solar Wind–Magnetosphere–Ionosphere–Atmosphere Coupling and the Generation of Magnetospheric Currents

Abstract. We study what effect a possible surface conductivity of Mercury has on the closure of magnetospheric currents by making six runs with a quasi-neutral hybrid simulation. The runs are otherwise identical but use different synthetic conductivity models: run 1 has a fully conducting planet, run 2 has a poorly conducting planet ( m) and runs 3-6 have one of the hemispheres either in the dawn-dusk or day-night directions, conducting well, the other one being conducting poorly. Although the surface conductivity is not known from observations, educated guesses easily give such conductivity values that magnetospheric currents may close partly within the planet, and as the conductivity depends heavily on the mineral composition of the surface, the possibility of significant horizontal variations cannot be easily excluded. The simulation results show that strong horizontal variations may produce modest magnetospheric asymmetries. Beyond the hybrid simulation, we also briefly discuss the possibility that in the nightside there may be a lack of surface electrons to carry downward current, which may act as a further source of surface-related magnetospheric asymmetry. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (planetary magnetospheres; current systems; solar wind-magnetosphere interactions).6

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Saturn's E, G and F rings: modulated by the plasma sheet

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100101666 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 75 ◽

pp. 597

Author(s):

E. Grün ◽

G.E. Morfill ◽

T.V. Johnson ◽

G.H. Schwehm

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Direct Contact ◽

Transport Processes ◽

Time Variable ◽

Dust Particles ◽

Spatial Diffusion ◽

Drag Forces ◽

Orbit Perturbation ◽

Time Variations ◽

F Ring

ABSTRACTSaturn's broad E ring, the narrow G ring and the structured and apparently time variable F ring(s), contain many micron and sub-micron sized particles, which make up the “visible” component. These rings (or ring systems) are in direct contact with magnetospheric plasma. Fluctuations in the plasma density and/or mean energy, due to magnetospheric and solar wind processes, may induce stochastic charge variations on the dust particles, which in turn lead to an orbit perturbation and spatial diffusion. It is suggested that the extent of the E ring and the braided, kinky structure of certain portions of the F rings as well as possible time variations are a result of plasma induced electromagnetic perturbations and drag forces. The G ring, in this scenario, requires some form of shepherding and should be akin to the F ring in structure. Sputtering of micron-sized dust particles in the E ring by magnetospheric ions yields lifetimes of 102to 104years. This effect as well as the plasma induced transport processes require an active source for the E ring, probably Enceladus.

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Quantitative surface damage studies by H.R.E.M.

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010015513x ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 632-633

Author(s):

S. R. Singh ◽

H. J. Fan ◽

L. D. Marks

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Surface Science ◽

Surface Damage ◽

Space Environment ◽

Oxygen Desorption ◽

The Past ◽

Diffusion Controlled ◽

Original Observation ◽

Substantial Interest

Since the original observation that the surfaces of materials undergo radiation damage in the electron microscope similar to that observed by more conventional surface science techniques there has been substantial interest in understanding these phenomena in more detail; for a review see. For instance, surface damage in a microscope mimics damage in the space environment due to the solar wind and electron beam lithographic operations.However, purely qualitative experiments that have been done in the past are inadequate. In addition, many experiments performed in conventional microscopes may be inaccurate. What is needed is careful quantitative analysis including comparisons of the behavior in UHV versus that in a conventional microscope. In this paper we will present results of quantitative analysis which clearly demonstrate that the phenomena of importance are diffusion controlled; more detailed presentations of the data have been published elsewhere.As an illustration of the results, Figure 1 shows a plot of the shrinkage of a single, roughly spherical particle of WO3 versus time (dose) driven by oxygen desorption from the surface.

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