NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Diodelike response of high-latitude plasma in magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling in the presence of field-aligned currentsThe dynamic processes in the plasma along high-latitude field lines plays an important role in ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling process. A time-dependent, large-scale simulation of these dynamics parallel to the geomagnetic field lines from the ionosphere well into the magnetosphere is created. The plasma consists of hot e(-) and H(+) of magnetospheric origin and low-energy e(-), H(+), and O(+) of ionospheric origin. Including multiple electron species, a major improvement to the model, made it possible for the first time to simulate the upward current region properly and to dynamically simulate the diodelike response of the field-line plasma to the parallel currents coupling the ionosphere and magnetosphere. It is shown that return currents flow with small resistance, while upward currents produce kilovolt-sized potential drops along the field, as concluded from satellite observations. The kilovolt potential drops are due to the effect of the converging magnetic field on the high-energy magnetospheric electrons.
Document ID
19920068556
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mitchell, H. G., Jr.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Ganguli, Supriya B.
(Science Applications International Corp. Plasma Physics Div., McLean, VA, United States)
Palmadesso, P. J.
(U.S. Navy, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 97
Issue: A8 A
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
92A51180
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-4601
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-90-20655
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available