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Electrodynamics of solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere interactionsThe paper presents a coherent picture of fundamental physical processes in three basic elements of the solar-wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere coupling system: (1) the field-aligned potential structure which leads to the formation of auroral arcs, (2) the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling which leads to the onset of magnetospheric substorms, and (3) the solar-wind/magnetosphere dynamo which supplies the power driving various magnetospheric processes. Process (1) is forced into existence by the loss-cone constriction effect when the upward field-aligned current density exceeds the loss-cone thermal flux limit. Substorm onset occurs when the ionosphere responds fully to the enhanced magnetospheric convection driven by the solar wind. Energy is transferred from the solar wind to the magnetosphere by a dynamo process, primarily on open field lines.
Document ID
19890054328
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Kan, Joseph R.
(Alaska Univ. Fairbanks, AK, United States)
Akasofu, Syun-Ichi
(Alaska, University Fairbanks, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science
Volume: 17
ISSN: 0093-3813
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
89A41699
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-85-18512
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1249
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-88-03133
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-85-21194
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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