SYNOPSIS OF THE MAGNETOSPHERE.
Abstract
Our present knowledge of the earth's magnetic cavity is discussed. The solar wind interacts with the earth's magnetic field to form a shock front. Behind the shock front the solar wind particles are thermalized. Magnetic field lines near the earth's poles are pulled back into a long tail away from the sun. The tail is about 40 earth radii in diameter and extends for many earth-moon distances. The auroral region is inside 10 earth radii on the front and 8 earth radii in the back and is probably connected to the neutral sheet in the tail. The inner and outer electron radiation belts and the high and low energy proton radiation belts are located closer to the earth. Theoretical models to explain the magnetic cavity, the aurora, magnetic storms, and injection of particles into the radiation belts are presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0813869
Entities
People
- R. Stephen White
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation