Recent Models of Magnetospheric Convection
Location
Yosemite National Park
Start Date
2-7-1974 10:15 AM
End Date
2-7-1974 10:45 AM
Description
A set of computer models of magnetospheric electric fields is reviewed. In each calculation, a potential distribution is assumed at the boundary of the polar cap. Electrostatic potentials equatorward of this boundary are computed from Vj=0, with ionospheric, Birkeland, and ring currents taken self-consistently into account. Neutral winds and parallel electric fields are neglected, and the plasma-sheet particles are approximated by a one-component ion sheet. In the models, the region earthward of the inner edge of the ion sheet is shielded from the convection electric field. The shielding requires from a few minutes to a few hours to react to a change in convection field, but is nearly complete in steady-state condition, except when ionospheric conductivity is very high. Both plasma-sheet and Davis-Williamson protons should contribute to the shielding of the low-latitude ionosphere from convection electric fields.
Recent Models of Magnetospheric Convection
Yosemite National Park
A set of computer models of magnetospheric electric fields is reviewed. In each calculation, a potential distribution is assumed at the boundary of the polar cap. Electrostatic potentials equatorward of this boundary are computed from Vj=0, with ionospheric, Birkeland, and ring currents taken self-consistently into account. Neutral winds and parallel electric fields are neglected, and the plasma-sheet particles are approximated by a one-component ion sheet. In the models, the region earthward of the inner edge of the ion sheet is shielded from the convection electric field. The shielding requires from a few minutes to a few hours to react to a change in convection field, but is nearly complete in steady-state condition, except when ionospheric conductivity is very high. Both plasma-sheet and Davis-Williamson protons should contribute to the shielding of the low-latitude ionosphere from convection electric fields.