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Relationship of the interplanetary electric field to the high-latitude ionospheric electric field and currents Observations and model simulationThe electrical coupling between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere is studied. The coupling is analyzed using observations of high-latitude ion convection measured by the Sondre Stromfjord radar in Greenland and a computer simulation. The computer simulation calculates the ionospheric electric potential distribution for a given configuration of field-aligned currents and conductivity distribution. The technique for measuring F-region in velocities at high time resolution over a large range of latitudes is described. Variations in the currents on ionospheric plasma convection are examined using a model of field-aligned currents linking the solar wind with the dayside, high-latitude ionosphere. The data reveal that high-latitude ionospheric convection patterns, electric fields, and field-aligned currents are dependent on IMF orientation; it is observed that the electric field, which drives the F-region plasma curve, responds within about 14 minutes to IMF variations in the magnetopause. Comparisons of the simulated plasma convection with the ion velocity measurements reveal good correlation between the data.
Document ID
19860057107
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Clauer, C. R.
(Stanford Univ. CA, United States)
Banks, P. M.
(Stanford University CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 91
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
86A41845
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-85-03105
CONTRACT_GRANT: F19628-85-K-0001
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-82-10562
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-235
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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