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Energy coupling in the magnetospheres of earth and MercuryThe mechanisms involved in the dissipation of solar-wind energy during magnetospheric substorms are considered theoretically, comparing models for earth and Mercury. In the model for terrestrial substorms, IMF lines interconnect with terrestrial field lines near the front of the magnetosphere and are dragged back, carrying plasma and energy, to form tail lobes; a magnetic neutral region is then formed by reconnection of the open lines as the plasma sheet thins, and reconnective heating and acceleration of tail plasma lead to plasma inflow at the poles and formation of a plasmoid flowing down the tail at high velocity. Analogous phenomena on Mercury could produce precipitation of particles carrying 10-1000 GW of power into 'auroral zones' on the dark side of the planet. The feasibility of remote or in situ observations to detect such processes is discussed.
Document ID
19900054856
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Baker, D. N.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Publication Information
Volume: 10
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
90A41911
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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