Wave mechanism of the magnetospheric convection

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S. Leonovich
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1865-1876 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. DeJong ◽  
X. Cai ◽  
R. C. Clauer ◽  
J. F. Spann

Abstract. Using Polar UVI LBHl and IMAGE FUV WIC data, we have compared the auroral signatures and polar cap open flux for isolated substorms, sawteeth oscillations, and steady magnetospheric convection (SMC) events. First, a case study of each event type is performed, comparing auroral signatures and open magnetic fluxes to one another. The latitude location of the auroral oval is similar during isolated substorms and SMC events. The auroral intensity during SMC events is similar to that observed during the expansion phase of an isolated substorm. Examination of an individual sawtooth shows that the auroral intensity is much greater than the SMC or isolated substorm events and the auroral oval is displaced equatorward making a larger polar cap. The temporal variations observed during the individual sawtooth are similar to that observed during the isolated substorm, and while the change in polar cap flux measured during the sawtooth is larger, the percent change in flux is similar to that measured during the isolated substorm. These results are confirmed by a statistical analysis of events within these three classes. The results show that the auroral oval measured during individual sawteeth contains a polar cap with, on average, 150% more magnetic flux than the oval measured during isolated substorms or during SMC events. However, both isolated substorms and sawteeth show a 30% decrease in polar cap magnetic flux during the dipolarization (expansion) phase.


1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. I. Galperin ◽  
J. M. Bosqued ◽  
R. A. Kovrazhkin ◽  
A. G. Yahnin

Author(s):  
O. Le Contel ◽  
R. Pellat ◽  
A. Roux ◽  
S. Perraut ◽  
A. Korth ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3897-3912 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. DeJong ◽  
A. J. Ridley ◽  
C. R. Clauer

Abstract. During steady magnetospheric convection (SMC) events the magnetosphere is active, yet there are no data signatures of a large scale reconfiguration, such as a substorm. While this definition has been used for years it fails to elucidate the true physics that is occurring within the magnetosphere, which is that the dayside merging rate and the nightside reconnection rate balance. Thus, it is suggested that these events be renamed Balanced Reconnection Intervals (BRIs). This paper investigates four diverse BRI events that support the idea that new name for these events is needed. The 3–4 February 1998 event falls well into the classic definition of an SMC set forth by Sergeev et al. (1996), while the other challenge some previous notions about SMCs. The 15 February 1998 event fails to end with a substorm expansion and concludes as the magnetospheric activity slowly quiets. The third event, 22–23 December 2000, begins with a slow build up of magnetospheric activity, thus there is no initiating substorm expansion. The last event, 17 February 1998, is more active (larger AE, AL and cross polar cap potential) than previously studied SMCs. It also has more small scale activity than the other events studied here.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Yang ◽  
Eric Donovan ◽  
Jun Liang ◽  
Emma Spanswick

Abstract. Previous studies of the motion of patches that comprise patchy pulsating aurora (PPA) have been based on a limited number of events. In this study, we use a large database of PPA patches obtained from the THEMIS all-sky imager at Gillam (66.18° magnetic latitude, 332.78° magnetic longitude) between May 2006 and July 2013 to explore the velocity of the PPA patches. Our results show that PPA patches mainly drift eastward after midnight and westward before midnight. In addition, we found that patch velocities are in the expected range of convection given the magnetic latitude and that the velocities do not seem to depend on auroral electrojet (AE) index. The results suggest that the drifts of auroral patches could be a proxy for the ionospheric convection, and possibly provide a convenient and accurate method to remotely sense the magnetospheric convection.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 3513-3522 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. de Paula ◽  
K. N. Iyer ◽  
D. L. Hysell ◽  
F. S. Rodrigues ◽  
E. A. Kherani ◽  
...  

Abstract. On 11 April 2001, a large magnetic storm occurred with SSC at 13:43 UT, and Dst reached below -200nT after two southward Bz excursions. The Kp index during this storm reached 8 and remained high (>4) for about 21h, and the São Luís magnetometer H component presented simultaneous oscillations and decreased substantially relative to the previous magnetically quiet days. This storm triggered strong ionospheric irregularities, as observed by a recently installed 30MHz coherent scatter radar, a digisonde, and a GPS scintillation receiver, all operating at the São Luís equatorial station (2.33° S, 44° W, dip latitude 1.3° S). The ionospheric conditions and the characteristics of the ionospheric irregularities observed by these instruments are presented and discussed. The VHF radar RTI (Range Time Intensity) echoes and their power spectra and spectral width for the storm night 11-12 April 2001, were used to analyse the nature and dynamics of the plasma irregularities and revealed the coexistence of many structures in the altitudinal range of 400-1200km, some locally generated and others that drifted from other longitudinal sectors. The radar data also revealed that the plumes had periodic eastward and westward zonal velocities after 22:20 UT, when well-developed quiet-time plumes typically drift eastward. Another interesting new observation is that the F-layer remained anomalously high throughout the 11-12 April 2001 storm night (21:00 UT to 09:00 UT next day) (the LT at São Luís is UT -3h), as indicated by the digisonde parameters hmF2 and h'F, which is a condition favourable for spread F generation and maintenance. The AE auroral index showed enhancements (followed by decreases) that are indicative of magnetospheric convection enhancements at about 15:00 UT, 20:00 UT and 22:00 UT on 11 April 2001 and at 00:20 UT (small amplitude) on 12 April 2001, associated with many Bz fluctuations, including clear two southward incursions that gave rise to large and long lasting Kp values and large negative Dst values. This intense auroral activity generated disturbance dynamo and prompt penetration electric fields that were responsible for the maintenance of the F-layer at a high altitude along the night of 11-12 April 2001. The short-lived F-region height rise seen between 16:00 to 18:00 UT on 11 April 2001 is probably due to the prompt penetration eastward electric fields of magnetospheric origin during the first IMF Bz turning to south around 15:00 UT.


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