The duskside plasmapause/ring current interface: Convection and plasma wave observations
Abstract
Data from three AMPTE satellite crossings of the plasmapause were analyzed. The inner edge of the ring current ions, which penetrate the duskside plasmapause by 0.5 to 2 RE is characterized by termination of the plasmaspheric hiss and an outward pointing gradient in the energetic ions. An eastward current is detectable by the plasma instrument as well as the magnetometer; this current is consistent in direction and magnitude with the diamagnetic current associated with the observed gradient in the ring current ions. In two of the three cases, current driven lower hybrid waves occur. On all three days, the ring current overlap with the plasmasphere is marked by sunward convection (opposite to corotation) and by a plateau formation in the density profile, both of which indicate that the ring current has a significant effect on the electric field.
- Publication:
-
Unknown
- Pub Date:
- July 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987dprc.rept.....L
- Keywords:
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- Convection;
- Plasma Waves;
- Plasmapause;
- Ring Currents;
- Plasma Currents;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Satellite Sounding;
- Plasma Physics