Geomagnetic Responses to the Solar Wind and to Solar Activity,
Abstract
The paper presents a unified overview of present knowledge of the geomagnetic response to the dynamic solar wind. Physical understanding rather than observational details is emphasized. Following some historical notes, the formation of the magnetosphere and the magnetospheric tail is discussed. The importance of electric fields is stressed and the magnetospheric convection of plasma and 'frozen-in' magnetic field lines under the influence of large-scale magnetospheric electric fields is outlined. Ionospheric electric fields and currents are intimately related to electric fields and currents in the magnetosphere and the strong coupling between the two regions is discussed. The energy input of the solar wind to the magnetosphere and upper atmosphere is discussed in terms of the reconnection model where interplanetary magnetic field lines merge or connect with the terrestrial field on the sunward side of the magnetosphere. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0775556
Entities
People
- Leif Svalgaard
Organizations
- Stanford University