Examples of Plasma Flows within the Earth's Magnetosphere.
Abstract
Examples of observed flows of plasmas in the dayside magnetosphere near the magnetopause, within the ring current in the local-evening sector, and at two positions simultaneously in the plasma sheet are presented. These measurements were gained with LEPEDEA plasma instruments on the satellites IMP's -6 and -7. Flow velocities inside the magnetopause in the dayside magnetosphere are typically 25 to 75 km/sec, and are directed generally parallel to the tangent to the nearby magnetopause with a small component directed into this boundary. Bulk flow speeds within the ring current ranged from the instrument threshold of about 20 km/sec to speeds of 50 km/sec. Strong tailward 'jetting' of plasmas, in the range of 200 to 300 km/sec, at geocentric radial distances about 35 (R sub E) in the plasma sheet is found to be often associated with the occurrence of magnetic substorms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA017001
Entities
People
- K. L. Ackerson
- Louis A. Frank
Organizations
- University of Iowa