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Influence of the interplanetary magnetic field on the occurrence and thickness of the plasma mantleThe response of the plasma mantle to the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) has been studied by correlating Heos 2 plasma and Imp 6 magnetic field data. The mantle is nearly always present when the IMF has a southward component and often also when the field has a weak northward component. In addition, the mantle appears increasingly thicker with greater southward components. On the other hand, the mantle is thin or missing (from the region where it is normally found) when the average IMF has a strong northward component. This result supports the idea that polar cap convection plays a dominant role in the formation of the plasma mantle: mantle plasma originates in the magnetosheath, enters the magnetosphere through the day side polar cusps, and is transported across the cusp to the night side by means of a convection electric field whose magnitude is controlled by the orientation of the IMF.
Document ID
19760053286
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sckopke, N.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Physik und Astrophysik Garching, Germany)
Paschmann, G.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Physik und Astrophysik Garching, Germany)
Rosenbauer, H.
(Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik Garching, Germany)
Fairfield, D. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 81
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
76A36252
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: BMFT-WRK-210
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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