Prediction of Magnetic Orientation in Driver Gas-Associated -Bz Events
Abstract
It has long been recognized that the north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the solar-magnetospheric coordinate system plays a crucial role in determining the amount of solar wind energy transferred to Earth's magnetosphere via magnetic reconnection at the dayside magnetopause. Large southward IMF events with duration of a few hours, or -Bz events, are the dominant phenomenon responsible for the development of magnetospheric substorms and the main phase of geomagnetic storms as well. Until recently the origins of -Bz events were not well understood. Recent analysis of ISEE-3 field and plasma observations shows that the origins of the -Bz events are quite varied. About half the events detected between August 16, 1978 and December 28, 1979 occurred during the passage of the gas driving interplanetary travelling shock. It has been suggested (e.g., Kahler, 1987) that the driver gas is the interplanetary signature of the material launched in large, fast coronal mass ejections.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA251941
Entities
People
- J. T. Hoeksema
- Xuepu Zhao
Organizations
- Stanford University