Solar Wind Plasma in the Magnetosphere Method of Entry and Consequences.
Abstract
Early calculations of magnetopause shape assume that all solar wind particles were specularly reflected off of the geomagnetic field. Early work with energetic solar cosmic rays showed that they do gain access to the magnetosphere and that the magnetospheric magnetic field exerts considerable influence on their subsequent trajectories. The Lorentz force and trajectories are determined on thousands of solar wind particles impacting on a realistic model of the geomagnetic and electrostatic fields. The magnetosphere can be penetrated by some of the solar wind particles provided that it impacts the magnetopause from the right direction. This process must have profound effects on the magnetosphere. It is shown qualitatively that the magnetospheric response to this charge entry produces currents that flow in the regions and directions of the observed magnetospheric currents. Also, the response produces electric fields in the same direction and location as observed. Finally, the entry process introduces plasma directly to those regions of the magnetosphere where it is observed to persist--in the plasma sheet, in the tail, and in the dayside cusps. These results and have included the effects of the electric field produced by the entering particles. The ultimate goal of this work is the quantitative description of the magnetic and electric fields and particles, and current distributions observed in the magnetopause and boundary layers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA177255
Entities
People
- K. A. Pfitzer
- S. L. Huston
- W. P. Olson