Study to Analyze and Synthesize Satellite Data.
Abstract
We have completed four computer runs simulating the behavior of the earth's inner magnetosphere during the substorm-type event that had its onset at about 1000 UT on 19 September 1976. Our program simulated many aspects of the behavior of the closed-field-line portion of the auroral and subauroral ionosphere. For these regions, the program self-consistently computes electric fields, electric currents, hot-plasma densities, plasma flow velocities and other parameters. Our computed ionospheric electric fields compare reasonably well with corresponding data from satellite S3-2. The most striking observational feature of the electric fields in the modeled region during the 19 September 1976 event was an instance of rapid subauroral flow, which was observed on the outbound part of pass 4079B South and was also predicted by the computer runs. These computer results seem consistent with a simple analytic model for rapid subauroral flow developed by Southwood and Wolf. Birkeland-current densities predicted by the model are presented, for eventual comparison with S3-2 magnetometer data. A program has been developed to follow the evolution of the plasmasphere, or any other magnetospheric or upper-ionospheric cold-plasma boundary, through a modeled event. Some interesting preliminary results for computed plasmasphere shapes are presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 15, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA070947
Entities
People
- M. Harel
- P. H. Reiff
- R. W. Spiro
- R. Wolf
Organizations
- Rice University