Effects of Nonconvective Electric Fields on Magnetospheric Plasma Dynamics.
Abstract
A study of a mechanism which can cause the disruption of a stationary electric potential structure was completed. Results were applied to the parallel electric fields which are associated with auroral arcs. A program of research directed towards analyzing the structure of small scale auroral vortices observed by an Air Force satellite was completed. Two intense auroral events marked by large deflections in the east-west magnetic field component were studied. The events are associated with electric fields whose magnitude can exceed 200 mV/m. Electric field variations give rise to plasma vortex flow patterns similar to these observed in auroral folds and curls. Observed values were consistent with collisionless, single-particle theories. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA128432
Entities
People
- M. B. Silevitch
Organizations
- Northeastern University