scholarly journals Transition from substorm growth to substorm expansion phase as observed with a radial configuration of ISTP and Cluster spacecraft

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 2183-2198 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Sergeev ◽  
M. V. Kubyshkina ◽  
W. Baumjohann ◽  
R. Nakamura ◽  
O. Amm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transition Region ◽  
Growth Phase ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Substorm Onset ◽  
Plasma Injection ◽  
Storms And Substorms ◽  
Auroral Phenomena ◽  
Inner Region

Abstract. Transition from the growth phase to the substorm expansion during a well-isolated substorm with a strong growth phase is investigated using a unique radial (THEMIS-like) spacecraft constellation near midnight, including the probing of the tail current at ~16 RE with Cluster, of the transition region at ~9 RE with Geotail and Polar, and of the inner region at 6.6 RE with two LANL spacecraft. The activity development on both a global scale and near the spacecraft footpoints was monitored with global auroral images (from the IMAGE spacecraft) and the ground network. Magnetospheric models, tuned using in-situ observations, indicated a strong tail stretching and plasma sheet thinning, which included the growth of the near-Earth current (approaching 30 nA/m2) and possible formation of a local B minimum in the neutral sheet (~5 nT) at ~10–12 RE near the substorm onset. However, there were no indications that the substorm onset was initiated just in this region. We emphasize the rather weak magnetic and plasma flow perturbations observed outside the thinned plasma sheet at Cluster, which could be interpreted as the effects of localized earthward-contracting newly-reconnected plasma tubes produced by the impulsive reconnection in the midtail plasma sheet. In that case the time delays around the distinct substorm onset are consistent with the activity propagation from the midtail to the inner magnetosphere. A peculiar feature of this substorm was that 12min prior to this distinct onset, a clear soft plasma injection to the GEO orbit was recorded which has little associated effects both in the ionosphere and in the transition region at ~9 RE. This pseudo-breakup was probably due to either a localized ballooning-type activity or due to the braking of a very narrow BBF whose signatures were also recorded by Cluster. This event manifested the (previously unknown) phenomenon, a strong tail overloading (excessive storage of magnetic energy) contrasted to the modest energy dissipation and plasma acceleration, which are both discussed and interpreted as the consequences of cold/dense and thick pre-substorm plasma sheet which often occurs after the long quiet period. The lessons of using the radial spacecraft configurations in substorm onset studies are also discussed. Keywords. Magnetospheric physics (Auroral phenomena, plasma sheet, storms and substorms)

scholarly journals Studies of magnetotail dynamics and energy evolution during substorms using MHD simulations

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1717-1727 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Brogl ◽  
R. E. Lopez ◽  
M. Wiltberger ◽  
H. K. Rassoul
Keyword(s):  
Growth Phase ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Substorm Onset ◽  
Energy Evolution ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Expansion Phase ◽  
Mhd Simulations ◽  
Hydrodynamic Code ◽  
Magnetotail Dynamics

Abstract. We examine the distribution and propagation of energy in the plasma sheet and lobes using observations and simulations for three substorms. The substorms occurred on 9 March 1995, 10 December 1996, and 27 August 2001 and have been simulated using the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry magneto-hydrodynamic code. All three events occur over North America and show a clear substorm current wedge over the ground magnetometer chains of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. The three simulations show the thinning of the plasma sheet during the growth phase of the event and an increase in the relative amount of thermal energy due to the compression of the plasma sheet. Generally, the total lobe energy, polar cap flux, and lobe magnetic field strength simultaneously increase during the growth phase, and polar cap flux and total lobe energy only start dropping at substorm onset, as measured by the CANOPUS magnetometer chain. Starting at time of onset and continuing throughout the expansion phase a transfer of magnetic energy from the lobes into the plasma sheet occurs, with the increase in the plasma sheet energy ranging from 30–40% of the energy that is released from the lobes.

scholarly journals A case study of electron precipitation in the late substorm growth phase on and nearby a preonset arc

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 1567-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Olsson ◽  
P. Janhunen
Keyword(s):  
Growth Phase ◽  
Potential Drop ◽  
Electron Precipitation ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Plasma Properties ◽  
Precipitation Characteristics ◽  
Coupling Parameters ◽  
Storms And Substorms ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Auroral Phenomena

Abstract. We follow the electron precipitation characteristics on and nearby a preonset arc using the high resolution Freja TESP instrument. Our data coverage extends from about 10 min before onset up to 1 min before onset. The arc is the most equatorward one (around MLAT 62°) of a system of growth phase arcs, and it was close to the radiation belt precipitation. Within the preonset arc, inverted-V type precipitation dominates. Poleward of the arc we also find some precipitation regions, and here there is systematically a cold electron population superposed with a warm population. Using single and double Maxwellian fits to the measured electron spectra we find the ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling parameters (field-aligned conductance K and the parallel potential drop V) as well as the effective source plasma properties (density and temperature) during the event. Compared to typical expansion phase features, the preonset parallel potential drop is smaller by a factor of ten, the electron temperature is smaller by a factor of at least five, and the field-aligned conductance is about the same or larger. The fact that there are two isotropic superposed electron populations on the poleward side of the preonset arc suggests that the distance between warm trapped electrons on dipolar field lines and colder electrons on open field lines has become so small near the onset that mixing e.g. due to finite electron Larmor radius effects can take place.Key words. Ionosphere · (ionosophere-magnetosphere interactions) · Magnetospheric physics (auroral phenomena; storms and substorms).

scholarly journals Plasma sheet fast flows and auroral dynamics during substorm: a case study

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. L. Borodkova ◽  
A. G. Yahnin ◽  
K. Liou ◽  
J.-A. Sauvaud ◽  
A. O. Fedorov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Neutral Line ◽  
Filamentary Structure ◽  
Storms And Substorms ◽  
Flow Directions ◽  
Auroral Phenomena ◽  
Fast Flow ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Earthward Flow

Abstract. Interball-1 observations of a substorm development in the mid-tail on 16 December 1998 are compared with the auroral dynamics obtained from the Polar UV imager. Using these data, the relationship between plasma flow directions in the tail and the location of the auroral activation is examined. Main attention is given to tailward and earth-ward plasma flows, interpreted as signatures of a Near Earth Neutral Line (NENL). It is unambiguously shown that in the mid-plasma sheet the flows were directed tailward when the auroral bulge developed equatorward of the spacecraft ionospheric footprint. On the contrary, when active auroras moved poleward of the Interball-1 projection, earthward fast flow bursts were observed. This confirms the concept that the NENL (or flow reversal region) is the source of auroras forming the poleward edge of the auroral bulge. The observed earthward flow bursts have all typical signatures of Bursty Bulk Flows (BBFs), described by Angelopolous et al. (1992). These BBFs are related to substorm activations starting at the poleward edge of the expanded auroral bulge. We interpret the BBFs as a result of reconnection pulses occurring tail-ward of Interball-1. In addition, some non-typically observed phenomena were detected in the plasma sheet during this substorm: (i) tailward/earthward flows were superimposed on a very strong duskward flow, and (ii) wavy structures of both magnetic field and plasma density were registered. The latter observation is probably linked to the filamentary structure of the current sheet.Key words. Magnetospheric physics (auroral phenomena; plasma sheet; storms and substorms)

scholarly journals Decay of the Dst field of geomagnetic disturbance after substorm onset and its implication to storm-substorm relation

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 608-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Iyemori ◽  
D. R. K. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Ring Current ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Geomagnetic Disturbance ◽  
Substorm Onset ◽  
Significant Development ◽  
H Index ◽  
Magnetospheric Tail ◽  
Storms And Substorms ◽  
Substorm Onsets

Abstract. In order to investigate the causal relationship between magnetic storms and substorms, variations of the mid-latitude geomagnetic indices, ASY (asymmetric part) and SYM (symmetric part), at substorm onsets are examined. Substorm onsets are defined by three different phenomena; (1) a rapid increase in the mid-latitude asymmetric-disturbance indices, ASY-D and ASY-H, with a shape of so-called `mid-latitude positive bay\\'; (2) a sharp decrease in the AL index; (3) an onset of Pi2 geomagnetic pulsation. The positive bays are selected using eye inspection and a pattern-matching technique. The 1-min-resolution SYM-H index, which is essentially the same as the hourly Dst index except in terms of the time resolution, does not show any statistically significant development after the onset of substorms; it tends to decay after the onset rather than to develop. It is suggested by a simple model calculation that the decay of the magnetospheric tail current after substorm onset is responsible for the decay of the Dst field. The relation between the IMF southward turning and the development of the Dst field is re-examined. The results support the idea that the geomagnetic storms and substorms are independent processes; that is, the ring-current development is not the result of the frequent occurrence of substorms, but that of enhanced convection caused by the large southward IMF. A substorm is the process of energy dissipation in the magnetosphere, and its contribution to the storm-time ring-current formation seems to be negligible. The decay of the Dst field after a substorm onset is explained by a magnetospheric energy theorem.

scholarly journals Diagnosing the transition layer at extratropical latitudes using MLS O<sub>3</sub> and MOPITT CO analyses

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7225-7240 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Barré ◽  
L. El Amraoui ◽  
P. Ricaud ◽  
W. A. Lahoz ◽  
J.-L. Attié ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Transition Region ◽  
Transition Layer ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
British Isles ◽  
Chemistry Transport Model ◽  
Free Model ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. The behavior of the extratropical transition layer (ExTL) is investigated using a chemistry transport model (CTM) and analyses derived from assimilation of MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) O3 and MOPITT (Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere) CO data. We firstly focus on a stratosphere–troposphere exchange (STE) case study that occurred on 15 August 2007 over the British Isles (50° N, 10° W). We evaluate the effect of data assimilation on the O3–CO correlations. It is shown that data assimilation disrupts the relationship in the transition region. When MLS O3 is assimilated, CO and O3 values are not consistent between each other, leading to unphysical correlations at the STE location. When MLS O3 and MOPITT CO assimilated fields are taken into account in the diagnostics the relationship happens to be more physical. We then use O3–CO correlations to quantify the effect of data assimilation on the height and depth of the ExTL. When the free-model run O3 and CO fields are used in the diagnostics, the ExTL distribution is found 1.1 km above the thermal tropopause and is 2.6 km wide (2σ). MOPITT CO analyses only slightly sharpen (by −0.02 km) and lower (by −0.2 km) the ExTL distribution. MLS O3 analyses provide an expansion (by +0.9 km) of the ExTL distribution, suggesting a more intense O3 mixing. However, the MLS O3 analyses ExTL distribution shows a maximum close to the thermal tropopause and a mean location closer to the thermal tropopause (+0.45 km). When MLS O3 and MOPITT CO analyses are used together, the ExTL shows a mean location that is the closest to the thermal tropopause (+0.16 km). We also extend the study at the global scale on 15 August 2007 and for the month of August 2007. MOPITT CO analyses still show a narrower chemical transition between stratosphere and troposphere than the free-model run. MLS O3 analyses move the ExTL toward the troposphere and broaden it. When MLS O3 analyses and MOPITT CO analyses are used together, the ExTL matches the thermal tropopause poleward of 50°.

scholarly journals Statistical study of high-latitude plasma flow during magnetospheric substorms

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 3607-3624 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Provan ◽  
M. Lester ◽  
S. B. Mende ◽  
S. E. Milan
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Flow ◽  
Growth Phase ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Flow Region ◽  
Substorm Onset ◽  
Return Flow ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Magnetospheric Substorms ◽  
Superposed Epoch Analysis

Abstract. We have utilised the near-global imaging capabilities of the Northern Hemisphere SuperDARN radars, to perform a statistical superposed epoch analysis of high-latitude plasma flows during magnetospheric substorms. The study involved 67 substorms, identified using the IMAGE FUV space-borne auroral imager. A substorm co-ordinate system was developed, centred on the magnetic local time and magnetic latitude of substorm onset determined from the auroral images. The plasma flow vectors from all 67 intervals were combined, creating global statistical plasma flow patterns and backscatter occurrence statistics during the substorm growth and expansion phases. The commencement of the substorm growth phase was clearly observed in the radar data 18-20min before substorm onset, with an increase in the anti-sunward component of the plasma velocity flowing across dawn sector of the polar cap and a peak in the dawn-to-dusk transpolar voltage. Nightside backscatter moved to lower latitudes as the growth phase progressed. At substorm onset a flow suppression region was observed on the nightside, with fast flows surrounding the suppressed flow region. The dawn-to-dusk transpolar voltage increased from ~40kV just before substorm onset to ~75kV 12min after onset. The low-latitude return flow started to increase at substorm onset and continued to increase until 8min after onset. The velocity flowing across the polar-cap peaked 12-14min after onset. This increase in the flux of the polar cap and the excitation of large-scale plasma flow occurred even though the IMF Bz component was increasing (becoming less negative) during most of this time. This study is the first to statistically prove that nightside reconnection creates magnetic flux and excites high-latitude plasma flow in a similar way to dayside reconnection and that dayside and nightside reconnection, are two separate time-dependent processes.

scholarly journals Correlation between ground-based observations of substorm signatures and magnetotail dynamics

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 997-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Borälv ◽  
H. J. Opgenoorth ◽  
K. Kauristie ◽  
M. Lester ◽  
J.-M. Bosqued ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Event Study ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Sheet Thickness ◽  
Substorm Onset ◽  
Boundary Motion ◽  
Thickness Variations ◽  
Magnetotail Dynamics

Abstract. We present a substorm event study using the four Cluster spacecraft in combination with ground-based instruments, in order to perform simultaneous observations in the ionosphere and magnetotail. We show good correlation between substorm signatures on the ground and in the magnetotail, even though data from the northern-ground and southern-tail hemispheres are compared. During this event ground-based magnetometers show a substorm onset over Scandinavia in the pre-midnight sector. Within 1.5h the onset and three intensifications are apparent in the magnetograms. For all the substorm signatures seen on the ground, corresponding plasma sheet boundary motion is visible at Cluster, located at a downtail distance of 18.5 RE. As a result of the substorm onset and intensifications, Cluster moves in and out between the southern plasma sheet and lobe. Due to the lack of an apparent solar wind driver and the good correlation between substorm signatures on the ground, we conclude the substorm itself is the driver for these plasma sheet dynamics. We show that in the scales of Cluster inter-spacecraft distances (~0.5 RE) the inferred plasma sheet motion is often directed in both Ygsm- and Zgsm-directions, and discuss this finding in the context of previous studies of tail flapping and plasma sheet thickness variations.

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