Observations of interactions between interplanetary and geomagnetic fields

Magnetospheric effects associated with variations of the north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field are examined in light of recent recent experimental and theoretical results. Although the occurrence of magnetospheric substorms is statistically related to periods of southward interplanetary magnetic field, the details of the interaction are not understood. In particular, attempts to separate effects resulting directly from the interaction between the interplanetary and geomagnetic fields from those associated with substorms have produced conflicting results. The transfer of magnetic flux from the dayside to the nightside magnetosphere is evidenced by equatorward motion of the polar cusp and increases of the magnetic energy density in the lobes of the geomagnetic tail. The formation of a macroscopic X-type neutral line at tail distances less than 35 R sub E appears to be a substorm phenomenon.