NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Solar Wind Drivers for Steady Magnetospheric ConvectionSteady magnetospheric convection (SMC) also known as convection bays, is a particular mode of response of the magnetosphere to solar wind coupling. It is characterized by convection lasting for times longer than a typical substorm recovery during which no substorms expansions can be identified. It is generally believed that the solar wind must be unusually steady for the magnetosphere to enter this state. However, most previous studies have assumed this is true and have used such conditions to identify events. In a preliminary investigation using only the AE and AL indices to select events we have shown that these expectations are generally correct. SMC events seem to be associated with slow speed solar wind and moderate, stable IMF Bz. In this report we extend our previous study including additional parameters and the time variations in various statistical quantities. For the intervals identified as SMCs we perform a detailed statistical analysis of the properties of different solar wind variables. We compare these statistics to those determined from all data, and from intervals in which substorms but not SMCs are present. We also consider the question of whether substorms are required to initiate and terminate an SMC. We conclude that the intervals we have identified as SMC are likely to be examples of the original Dungey concept of balanced reconnection at a pair of x-lines on the day and night side of the Earth.
Document ID
20080019653
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
McPherron, Robert L.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
O'Brien, T. Paul
(Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Thompson, Scott
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Lui, A. T. Y.
(Elsevier Science Publishers Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Multiscale Coupling of Sun-Earth Processes
ISBN: 13: 978-0-444-51881-1
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: ATM 0208501
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG04GA93G
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

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