An electric current model of the magnetosphere
Abstract
A translation of the traditional field description of the magnetosphere into a particle (electric current) description is presented. Emphasis is placed on the energy transfer from the solar wind. The solar wind flow through the magnetic field acts as an electric generator. Its power is transferred to the magnetosphere through four main circuits. These are the magnetopause circuit, the solar wind-auroral circuit, the tail circuit, and the front circuit. A fifth circuit, the substorm circuit, is also discussed. When the tail circuit flares the current is partly redirected over the auroral zone, flowing in what is designated as the substorm circuit.
- Publication:
-
Unknown
- Pub Date:
- May 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979ecmm.rept.....A
- Keywords:
-
- Earth Magnetosphere;
- Energy Transfer;
- Geomagnetism;
- Plasma-Particle Interactions;
- Solar Wind;
- Auroral Electrojets;
- Field Theory (Physics);
- Geomagnetic Tail;
- Ionospheric Currents;
- Magnetic Storms;
- Magnetopause;
- Shock Fronts;
- Geophysics