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A model for the harmonic of compressional Pc 5 wavesCompressional Pc 5 magnetic waves in the magnetosphere are a unique phenomenon showing a nonsinusoidal waveform in spite of a well-defined period. Although the waveform can be Fourier-decomposed into the fundamental and the second harmonics, the phase between the two is kept constant from event to event, implying that the waveform is not the result of a chance superposition of two magnetospheric eigenmodes. A phenomenological explanation to this waveform is offered using a field-line configuration model that is a modified version of a previously proposed antisymmetric standing wave. In this model, the location of the equatorial node of field-line displacement is assumed to oscillate with the wave, with a peak-to-peak amplitude greater than 10 percent of the wavelength of the standing wave. The predicted waveform at various magnetic latitudes is found to be in excellent agreement with an observation taken near the magnetic equator by the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers/Charge Composition Explorer spacecraft.
Document ID
19870052583
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Takahashi, K.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Zanetti, L. J.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Potemra, T. A.
(Johns Hopkins University Laurel, MD, United States)
Acuna, M. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 14
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
87A39857
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00024-85-C-5301
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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