Convection and Substorms

Convection and Substorms PDF

Author: Charles F. Kennel

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 1996-02-08

Total Pages: 429

ISBN-13: 0195359070

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The magnetosphere is the region where cosmic rays and the solar wind interact with the Earth's magnetic field, creating such phenomena as the northern lights and other aurorae. The configuration and dynamics of the magnetosphere are of interest to planetary physicists, geophysicists, plasma astrophysicists, and to scientists planning space missions. The circulation of solar wind plasma in the magnetosphere and substorms have long been used as the principle paradigms for studying this vital region. Charles F. Kennel, a leading scientist in the field, here presents a synthesis of the convection and substorm literatures, and an analysis of convection and substorm interactions; he also suggests that the currently accepted steady reconnection model may be advantageously replaced by a model of multiple tail reconnection events, in which many mutually interdependent reconnections occur. Written in an accessible, non-mathematical style, this book introduces the reader to the exciting discoveries in this fast-growing field.

Magnetospheric Imaging — The Image Prime Mission

Magnetospheric Imaging — The Image Prime Mission PDF

Author: James L. Burch

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 372

ISBN-13: 9401000271

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The Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) is a NASA Explorer mission that is the first space mission dedicated to imaging of the Earth's magnetosphere. IMAGE was launched from Vandenberg AFB into an elliptical polar orbit by a Delta II launch vehicle on March 25, 2000. The two-year prime sci entific mission of IMAGE began on May 25, 2000 after instrument commissioning was successfully completed. IMAGE has now been approved for operation until October 1,2005, and an additional two-year extension is now being considered by NASA. The papers in this volume represent many of the scientific results obtained dur ing the IMAGE prime mission and include some of the early correlative research with ground-based measurements, measurements from other spacecraft such as Cluster II, and relevant theory and modeling programs. All of the reported work is related to the overall IMAGE science objective: How does the magnetosphere respond globally to the changing conditions in the solar wind? IMAGE addresses this question with multi-spectral imaging of most of the important plasma pop ulations of the inner magnetosphere, combined with radio sounding of gradients of total plasma content. The new experimental techniques fall into the following areas: neutral atom imaging (NAI) over an energy range from 10 eV to 500 keY for detection of ionospheric outflow, the plasma sheet, and the ring current; far ultraviolet (FUV) imaging at 121-190 nm for detection of precipitating protons and the global aurora; extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imaging at 30.

The Polar Cusp

The Polar Cusp PDF

Author: J.A. Holtet

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 427

ISBN-13: 9400952953

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These proceedings are based upon introductory talks, research reports and discussions from the NATO Advanced Workshop on the "Morphology and Dynamics of the Polar Cusp", held at Lillehammer, Norway, 7-12 May, 1984. The upper atmosphere at high latitudes is called the "Earth's win dow to outer space". Through various electrodynamic coupling process es as well as through direct transfer of particles many geophysical effects displayed there are direct manifestations of phenomena occurring in the deep space. The high latitude ionosphere will also exert a feedback on the regions of the magnetosphere and atmosphere to which it is coupled, acting as a momentum and energy source and sink, and a source of particles. Of particular interest are the sections of the near space known as the Polar Cusp. A vast portion of the earth's magnetic field envelope is electrically connected to these regions. This geometry results in a spatial mapping of the magnetospheric pro cesses and a focusing on to the ionosphere. In the Polar Cusps the solar wind plasma has also direct access to the upper atmosphere. The polar regions are thus of extreme importance when it comes to under standing the physical processes in the near space and their effect on our environment. The Introductory Talks given at this workshop provided a common background for discussing and understanding the physics of the Polar Cusp. By this book we will make the information which thus was provid ed to the participants of the workshop accessible to a wider audience.

Physical Signatures of Magnetospheric Boundary Layer Processes

Physical Signatures of Magnetospheric Boundary Layer Processes PDF

Author: J.A. Holtet

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 444

ISBN-13: 9401110522

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Summary of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Physical Signatures of Magnetospheric Boundary Layer Processes T A POTEMRA, M I PUDOVKIN, R W SMITH, V M VASYLIUNAS and A EGELAND 451 PREFACE These proceedings are based on the invited talks and selected research reports presented at the NATO Advanced Workshop on "PHYSICAL SIGNATURES OF MAGNETOSPHERIC BOUNDARY LAYER PROCESSES", held at Sundvolden Hotel, Norway, 9.-14.May 1993. The international political and scientific communities have gradually realized that the Earth's environment is more fragile than previously believed. This has led to the establishment of international research programmes directed toward the understanding of "Global Change". The Earth's magnetosphere, "the Earth-space", is a part of our environment, and physical processes in the magnetosphere and coupling between the solar energy stream, the solar wind, and the Earth-space are important in the complete understanding of our environment. Variations in the electromagnetic and particle energy output of the Sun have a significant effect on global changes. The energy transfer mechanisms at the days ide magnetospheric boundary layers and their ionospheric signatures are perhaps even more important to solar terrestrial research than the night-side processes in this connection. The dayside boundary layers and the polar cusps are the Earth's windows to outer space. The present NATO ARW was the latest in a series of conferences focused on dayside magnetospheric phenomena. It is five years since the preceding Workshop on "Electromag netic Coupling in the Polar Clefts and Caps" was held at Lillehammer in September 1988.