Effects of Anomalous Resistance on Auroral Birkeland Currents
Location
Yosemite National Park
Start Date
2-8-1974 11:00 AM
End Date
2-8-1974 11:30 AM
Description
In a recent paper, a two-dimensional model of the currents, the electric field, and the plasma density in an auroral arc has been presented. The results demonstrated the dependence of the auroral structure on the magnetospheric electric field. In this paper, we consider in more detail the relationship between the auroral Birkeland current system and a presumed anomalous resistance to the geomagnetic field-aligned current. The results of this study show that the Birkeland current spatial position and density, with respect to the arc, is sensitive to the form of the anomalous resistance. A selection of sample calculations, for which the resistance was chosen to represent particular proposed mechanisms of anomalous resistance, are presented and discussed. In addition, we will address the implications of the two dimensional model results for threedimensional auroral arcs.
Effects of Anomalous Resistance on Auroral Birkeland Currents
Yosemite National Park
In a recent paper, a two-dimensional model of the currents, the electric field, and the plasma density in an auroral arc has been presented. The results demonstrated the dependence of the auroral structure on the magnetospheric electric field. In this paper, we consider in more detail the relationship between the auroral Birkeland current system and a presumed anomalous resistance to the geomagnetic field-aligned current. The results of this study show that the Birkeland current spatial position and density, with respect to the arc, is sensitive to the form of the anomalous resistance. A selection of sample calculations, for which the resistance was chosen to represent particular proposed mechanisms of anomalous resistance, are presented and discussed. In addition, we will address the implications of the two dimensional model results for threedimensional auroral arcs.