Dynamics of the Large Scale Return Currents on Auroral Field Lines.
Abstract
Multimoment fluid plasma simulations have been performed to study the dynamics of auroral field lines in the presence of large scale field-aligned return currents. The flux tube plasma has a rapid initial response to the onset of current. Electron velocity increases with the application of return current to the system. Electron temperature exhibits adiabatic cooling and temperature anisotropy but the electrons cool much more compared to their polar wind value. We have only considered cold ionospheric electrons in this simulation. The hydrogen iron drift velocity decreases and hydrogen ion temperature increases. The hydrogen ion temperature still exhibits the polar wind characteristics, i.e., the increase in temperature at the lower end of the tube, temperature anisotropy and adiabatic cooling. Keywords: 13-moment system of transport equations; Temperature anisotropy; Return currents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 11, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA161697
Entities
People
- H. G. Mitchell Jr.
- P. J. Palmadesso
- Supriya B. Ganguli
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory