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Sondrestrom radar measurements of the reconnection electric fieldThe possibility of using Sondrestrom incoherent radar scatter to estimate the rate of solar-wind energy transfer is examined by using plasma-velocity measurements in the separatrix reference frame. The separatrix is the boundary between open and closed field lines, and its orientation is deduced from all-sky images. The radar observations are used to determine the separatrix location and the ionospheric plasma drift. Measurements of the reconnection electric field in the midnight sector for one night are taken, revealing that the field is less than 15 mV/m during the time of local polar-cap extension. During polar-cap contraction the field range is 30-40 mV/m, and these periods correspond to substorm expansive phases. The limitations associated with measuring ionospheric plasma drift, the boundary orientation, and boundary location are enumerated. The measurements in the experimental case demonstrate the possibility of plasma transfer from closed to open field lines.
Document ID
19910062756
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
De La Beaujardiere, O.
(SRI International Menlo Park, CA, United States)
Lyons, L. R.
(Aerospace Corp. Space Sciences Laboratory, Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Friis-Christensen, E.
(Danish Meteorological Institute Copenhagen, Denmark)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 96
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
91A47379
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: F49620-87-K-0007
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-88-22560
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-4399
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-88-00321
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-88-06027
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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