Evidence for ion energy dispersion in the polar cusp related to a northward directed Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF)
Abstract
Mechanisms of energy, momentum, and particle transfer from the solar wind to the Earth magnetosphere are discussed. Data from the particle experiment aboard the AUREOL-3 polar satellite show that 30% of the summer cusp crossings are characterized by a clear latitudinal energy dispersion of the solar wind ions. This energy-latitude correlation is observed at very high latitudes (80 deg to 85 deg) near the polar boundary of the cusp, as an increase of the ion average energy with latitude. These structures have a typical latitude extent of 1 to 2 deg at ionospheric heights and correspond to a northward-directed interplanetary magnetic field. The observations are consistent with a sunward convection of the foot of the magnetic flux tubes recently merged with a northward directed interplanetary magnetic field.
- Publication:
-
Results of the ARCAD 3 Project and of Recent Programs in Magnetospheric and Ionospheric Physics
- Pub Date:
- 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985rapr.conf..331B
- Keywords:
-
- Interplanetary Magnetic Fields;
- Ionospheric Ion Density;
- Polar Cap Absorption;
- Polar Cusps;
- Solar Terrestrial Interactions;
- Summer;
- Ion Currents;
- Satellite Sounding;
- Solar Wind;
- Geophysics