Showing papers on "Substorm published in 1993"

Structure of the tail plasma/current sheet at ∼11 RE and its changes in the course of a substorm

Abstract: At the end of April 2, 1978, the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft moved inbound at ∼11 RE on the nightside (0130 MLT). Due to a flapping motion of the plasma sheet the spacecraft crossed the neutral sheet region (central region of the plasma sheet) more than 10 times in the hour between 2115 and 2215 UT. This provided a unique opportunity to study the structure of the plasma/current region and its evolution during substorm growth and early expansion before the final disruption of the current sheet. Using minimum variance analysis of the magnetic field variations during the crossings as well as finite ion gyroradius diagnostics, we determine the orientation of the current sheet (CS) and then estimate the CS thickness as well as the value of its normal component, Bn. Typically, the current distribution was inferred to be very inhomogeneous with a current concentrated in a very thin CS (only 0.2 to 0.8 RE as thick) embedded inside the thicker plasma sheet. Current sheet crossings could be classified as regular or turbulent. The first type prevailed during the growth phase and at the initial stage of expansion when the spacecraft were well outside (in longitude) of the active region of the substorm and no large plasma flow was detected. The normal field component Bn was typically very small (∼1 nT) in the CS center in comparison to the larger shear magnetic By component. In the course of the growth phase we inferred an increase of the lobe field Bx and a decrease of the CS half thickness h (from h∼3000 km to ∼800 km just before the expansion onset), i.e., a very large increase (up to an order of magnitude) of the current density. At the same time, in disagreement with the usual cartoon picture of magnetic reconfiguration, the magnetic field magnitude in the CS center increased (instead of decreased) at the expense of the shear component. Three turbulent crossings were found during substorm expansion within the longitude range of the substorm current wedge (SCW). The second of them was detected ∼1 min before the main dipolarization and was characterized by a rather small CS thickness (h < 600 km), by strong earthward plasma flow and by a positive normal magnetic field component. That period showed signatures of concentration of both cross-B and field-aligned current at the outer edge of CS and may indicate a nearby reconnection region. The main result of this study is that the region of very thin current sheet (thickness of the order of the gyroradius of thermal protons in the field just outside the current sheet), which contained a very small normal component, clearly appeared in the near tail prior to the sudden onset of current disruption as predicted by some quantitative models of quasi-static evolution of earthward convecting plasma sheet flux tubes. Comparing these observations to theoretical results, we find that the threshold conditions for the growth of the tearing mode instability in sheared magnetic fields were apparently satisfied in this case, but the growth rate was too slow for sudden initiation of substorm expansion.

The occurrence rate of magnetospheric‐substorm onsets: Random and periodic substorms

Abstract: Particle-injection events are monitored on three geosynchronous satellites to determine the occurrences of magnetospheric substorms: for every consecutive pair of substorms found, the time interval [Delta]t between substorm onsets is determined. In this manner, 1001 values of [Delta]t are obtained. A statistical analysis of the [Delta]t values finds that the most-probable time between substorm onsets is [Delta]t [approx] 2.75 hours; this is interpreted to be the period between substorms when substorms occur cyclically. The statistical analysis of the [Delta]t values also finds a random probability for the occurrence of substorms with a mean time between random substorms of about 5 hours: it is speculated that this random occurrence may be caused by a property of the solar wind that varies randomly with an approximately 5-hour time scale. About 1500 substorms occur per year: about half are periodic and about half occur randomly. 59 refs., 5 figs.

A proposed production model of rapid subauroral ion drifts and their relationship to substorm evolution

Abstract: The temporal relationship between subauroral ion drifts (SAIDs) and the phases of an auroral substorm is examined on the basis of multisatellite data. The time of expansive phase onset is identified and the time at which recovery begins is estimated. SAIDs are found to typically occur well after substorm onset (more than 30 min), during the substorm recovery phase. Substantial westward ion drifts and field-aligned currents are observed well equatorward of the auroral oval during the expansion phase of a substorm, but the drifts lack the narrow spike signature associated with SAIDs. A phenomenological model of SAID production that qualitatively agrees with the observed ionospheric signatures and substorm temporal relationship is proposed.

ISEE 3 observations of traveling compression regions in the Earth`s magnetotail

Abstract: A comprehensive study is conducted of traveling compression regions (TCRs) in the distant magnetotail; a total of 116 TCRs were studied from ISEE 3 observations. Strong support is obtained for the interpretation of TCRs as large-scale compressions of the lobes that are caused by the rapid downtail motion of plasmoids. TCRs furnish information on the 3D shape and volume of the plasmoid bulge. The close association noted between the substorm expansion phase onset and the TCRs provides strong support for the plasmoid model of magnetotail dynamics.

Pseudobreakup and substorm growth phase in the ionosphere and magnetosphere

Abstract: Observations made during the growth phase and the onset of a substorm on August 31, 1986 are presented. About 20 min after the epsilon parameter at the magnetopause had exceeded 10 exp 11 W, magnetic field dipolarization with an increase of energetic particle fluxes was observed by the AMPTE Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) spacecraft at the geocentric distance of 8.7 R(E) close to magnetic midnight. The event exhibited local signatures of a substorm onset at AMPTE CCE and a weak wedgelike current system in the midnight sector ionosphere, but did not lead to a full-scale substorm expansion; neither did it produce large particle injections at GEO. Only after another 20 min of continued growth phase could the entire magnetosphere-ionosphere system allow the onset of a regular substorm expansion. The initial activation is interpreted as a 'pseudobreakup'. We examine the physical conditions in the near-Earth plasma sheet and analyze the development in the ionosphere using ground-based magnetometers and electric field observations from the STARE radar.

The near-Earth plasma sheet: an AMPTE/IRM perspective

Abstract: During the last five years, statistical studies using plasma measurements made by the AMPTE/IRM satellite have lead to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of the near-Earth plasma sheet between about 10 and 20RE. The most notable new findings are: (1) the adiabatic non-isentropic behavior of the tail plasma during quiet times; (2) the strong non-adiabatic heating of ions and electrons during substorms and the strong coupling of the ion and electron temperature withTi/Ti∼7; and (3) the high-speed flow bursts which carry most of the tail plasma transport. Moreover, it became clear that it is the central plasma sheet, and not the plasma sheet boundary layer, which is most affected by substorm activity.

Common origin of positive ionospheric storms at middle latitudes and the geomagnetic activity effect at low latitudes

Abstract: Anomalous increases of the ionization density at middle latitudes (positive ionospheric storms) and anomalous increases of the neutral gas density at low latitudes (the geomagnetic activity effect) are prominent features of upper atmospheric storms. The present study investigates the idea that both phenomena are caused by traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs). According to theory, such TADs are generated during magnetic substorm activity and propagate with high velocity from polar to equatorial latitudes. To examine the above hypothesis, magnetic, ionospheric, and neutral atmospheric data are compared for five different disturbance events. These case studies demonstrate that (1) there is a good temporal correlation between magnetic substorm activity at high latitudes, daytime positive ionospheric storms at middle latitudes, and the geomagnetic activity effect at low latitudes; (2) the initial phase of positive ionospheric storms propagates with high velocity toward lower latitudes; (3) this velocity is roughly consistent with the time lag of the geomagnetic activity effect at low latitudes; (4) the ionospheric disturbance is a conjugate phenomenon of global extent; and (5) it cannot be explained as an electric field effect. In summary, our data are fully consistent with the idea that TADs are responsible for both positive ionospheric storms at middle latitudes and the geomagnetic activity effect at low latitudes.

The earth's magnetosphere under continued forcing - Substorm activity during the passage of an interplanetary magnetic cloud

Abstract: Magnetic field and energetic particle observations from six spacecraft in the near-earth magnetotail are described and combined with ground magnetograms to document for the first time the magnetospheric substorm activity during a 30-hour long transit of an interplanetary cloud at 1 AU. During an earlier 11-hr interval when B(z) was continuously positive, the magnetosphere was quiescent, while in a later 18-hr interval when B(z) was uninterruptedly negative a large magnetic storm was set off. In the latter interval the substorm onsets recurred on average every 50 min. Their average recurrence frequency remained relatively undiminished even when the magnetic cloud B(z) and other measures of the interplanetary energy input decreased considerably. These results concur with current models of magnetospheric substorms based on deterministic nonlinear dynamics. The substorm onset occurred when the cloud's magnetic field had a persistent northward component but was predominantly westward pointing.

Equatorward and poleward expansion of the auroras during auroral substorms

Abstract: The formation of the auroral bulge is investigated on the basis of all-sky TV auroral data with high spatial and temporal resolution. Ways in which the discrete auroral structures within the poleward expanding bulge develop systematically toward the west, the east, and also equatorward from a localized breakup region are shown. Auroral structure at the western end of the bulge (a surge) develops with clockwise rotation as viewed along the magnetic field direction. At the eastern part of the bulge, thin auroral features propagate eastward from the breakup region. Around the central meridian of the bulge, auroral features expand equatorward and become north-south aligned (the N-S aurora). The N-S aurora and the eastward propagating aurora develop into diffuse and pulsating aurora after the expansion. It is suggested that these discrete auroral structures in the bulge develop along the plasma streamlines in a localized distorted two-cell equipotential distribution.

Does the ballooning instability trigger substorms in the near-Earth magnetotail?

Abstract: The stability of the near-Earth magnetotail against ballooning (or configurational) instability is examined in the framework of the MHD approximation. It is emphasized that a change in plasma pressure induced by a meriodional electric field drift delta u(sub n) is an important factor that determines the stability. We have to consider two ways in which plasma pressure changes, that is, a convective change -delta u(sub n) grad(P(sub 0)), where P(sub 0) is background plasma pressure, and plasma expansion/compression -P(sub 0) dive (delta u(sub n)). Since delta u(sub n) is perpendicular to the magnetic field and its magnitude is inversely proportional to the magnetic field strength, delta u(sub n) diverges/converges in usual tail magnetic field configurations. For the instability, the convective change must overwhelm the effects of the plasma expansion/compression. However, near the equator in the near-Earth tail, the latter may overcompensate for the former. We describe the ballooning instability in terms of a coupling between the Alfven and slow magnetosonic waves in an inhomogeneous plasma and derive instability conditions. The result shows that the excessive curvature stabilizes, rather than destabilizes, perturbations. It is also found that the field-aligned flow stabilizes perturbations, as well as the field-aligned current. We infer that under quiet conditions, the plasma pressure gradient in the near-Earth tail is not sharp enough to trigger the instability. The plasma sheet is expected to become more stable during the substorm growth phase because of an increase in the field line curvature associated with the plasma sheet thinning. In the region closer to the Earth, including the ring current, the plasma pressure gradient may be localized in a limited range of the radial distance during the growth phase. However, recently reported plasma and magnetic field parameters before substorm onsets do not provide very convincing evidence that the ballooning instability is the triggering mechanism of substorms.

Tailward propagating cross-tail current disruption and dynamics of near-Earth Tail: A multi-point measurement analysis

Abstract: Plasma and magnetic field data taken simultaneously in the near-Earth plasma sheet (6.6–13 RE) aboard three satellites, GEOS-2, ISEE-1, and ISEE-2, are used to infer directly the location and tailward propagation velocity of the partial cross-tail current disruption associated with a well-defined substorm. This study shows that the disruption starts at 6–9 RE and propagates down the tail with a velocity of the order of 150 to 250 km/s over tens of earth radii during the substorm expansion phase. Moreover, magnetic variations measured aboard GEOS-2 suggest that the partial current disruption also propagates longitudinally. After a time delay of about 2 minutes after the disruption onset, an injection front of accelerated particles is measured at geostationary orbit. This time delay is interpreted as indicating that the front propagates earthward with a velocity of the order of 20 to 160 km/s and also eastward. The overall post-onset magnetic signatures measured at geostationary orbit are shown to be mainly due to an expansion (thickening) of the current sheet in the close vicinity of GEOS-2 during the expansion phase.

Quasi‐linear analysis of ion Weibel instability in the Earth's neutral sheet

Abstract: A quasi-linear analysis of the ion Weibel instability (IWI) for waves with parallel propagation is carried out for parameters appropriate to the earth's neutral sheet during the substorm interval. For ion drift speed reaching sizable fraction of the ion thermal speed, unstable waves grow to a nonlinear regime in a time interval greater than an ion gyroperiod. The saturation level is attained with current density reduced to about 15-28 percent of its preactivity level. The unstable wave amplitude normalized to the initial ambient field is found to be in the range of 0.2-0.8. This is accompanied by ion heating along the magnetic field with the parallel temperature being enhanced by 25-90 percent. Thus, the IWI can provide nonadiabatic heating of ions in current disruptions during substorms. The associated anomalous resistivity is estimated to be about 1 x 10 exp -7 to 1 x 10 exp -6 s, which is about 11 to 12 orders of magnitude above the classical resistivity.

Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling

Abstract: 1 Implications of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling.- 1.1 Solar Wind, Magnetosphere, and Ionosphere.- 1.1.1 Entry of Energy into the Magnetosphere.- 1.1.2 Dissipation of Energy in Substorms.- 1.2 Basic Properties of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling.- 1.2.1 Global and Local Coupling Processes.- 1.2.2 Plasma Convection.- 1.2.3 Theoretical Approach.- 2 Morphology of Electric Fields and Currents at High Latitudes.- 2.1 Large-Scale Current Systems.- 2.1.1 Convection Electrojets.- 2.1.2 Substorm Current Wedge.- 2.1.3 Polar Cap and Cusp Currents.- 2.1.4 Eastward Current in the Dawn Sector.- 2.1.5 Current Closure in the Magnetosphere.- 2.1.6 Charge Carriers of Field-Aligned Currents.- 2.2 Electric Field and Currents Associated with Auroral Forms.- 2.2.1 Auroral Arcs.- 2.2.2 Westward Traveling Surges.- 2.2.3 Auroral Omega Bands.- 2.2.4 Pulsating Auroral Patches.- 3 Global Modeling of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling.- 3.1 Basic Concepts.- 3.2 Simulation of Magnetospheric Convection.- 3.2.1 Global Convection Model.- 3.2.2 Plasma Transport Model.- 3.3 Reproduction of Observed Features.- 3.4 Coupling Models with Specific Physical Aspects.- 4 Modeling of Ionospheric Electrodynamics.- 4.1 Ionospheric Parameters Controlled by Field-Aligned Currents.- 4.1.1 Basic Algorithm.- 4.1.2 Quiet Periods.- 4.1.3 Substorm Times.- 4.1.4 Cusp Structure.- 4.2 Magnetogram-Inversion Technique.- 4.2.1 Essence of the Scheme.- 4.2.2 Advantages and Limitations.- 4.2.3 Global Distribution of Ionospheric Parameters.- 4.2.4 Recent Improvements.- 4.3 Formation of Auroral Arcs.- 5 Current Issues in Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling.- 5.1 The Westward Traveling Surge.- 5.1.1 Dynamics.- 5.1.2 Distortion of Convection Pattern.- 5.1.3 Pulsations.- 5.2 Auroral Particle Acceleration and Parallel Electric Fields.- 5.2.1 Observations.- 5.2.2 Theories and Computer Simulations.- 5.3 Penetration of High-Latitude Electric Fields / into Low Latitudes.- 5.3.1 Substorm Effects.- 5.3.2 Source Mechanisms.- 5.3.3 Global Patterns of Ionospheric Fields.- 5.3.4 Shielding of Convection Fields in the Magnetosphere.- 5.4 Relative Importance of Conductivities and Electric Fields..- 5.4.1 Simultaneous Measurements of Ionospheric Parameters.- 5.4.2 Two Electrojet Modes.- 5.4.3 Latitudinal Cross-Sections of the Auroral Electrojets.- 5.4.4 Implications for Substorm Dynamics.- 5.4.5 Future Problems.- References.

A multisatellite study of a Pseudo-substorm onset in the near-earth magnetotail

Abstract: This paper reports the multisatellite and ground observations of two pseudo-substorm onset events that occurred successively at 0747 UT and 0811 UT, May 30, 1985, with more attention to the 0747 UT onset. The distinguishing features of the 0747 UT event are as follows. (1) The substorm-associated tail reconfiguration started in a very localized region in the near-Earth magnetotail. (2) The magnitude of the current disruption decreased markedly as the disruption region expanded tailward. (3) On the ground the onset of a very small negative bay (approx. 40 nT) was observed simultaneously with the onset of the current disruption, but over a much wider local time sector than the near-Earth tail reconfiguration. Positive bay onsets at mid-latitudes also had a longitudinally wide distribution. From these features we infer than in the present event the current disruption took place filamentarily near AMPTE/CCE at approx. 8.8 R(sub E). It is also inferred that pseudo-substorm onsets are distinguished from standard substorm onsets by the absence of a global expansion of the current disruption, and that the spatial scales of the onset region in the magnetosphere is not a major difference between the two. The present study suggests that the spatial distribution of the magnetic distortion before onsets is an important factor to determine the expansion scale of the current disruption. It is also suggested that the current disruption is basically an internal process of the magnetosphere.

Correlation dimension and affinity of AE data and bicolored noise

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the general question of the dynamics of the magnetosphere. In general, to solve the dynamics of the magnetosphere one has to solve magnetohydrodynamic equations with some appropriate set of boundary conditions. This results in a very complex solution, which gives indications of being chaotic. The question of the chaotic nature of the magnetospheric dynamics has been addressed by various authors by looking at the correlation dimension of the auroral electrojet index. There has been disagreement on the outcome of such experiments, so the authors report on a detailed analysis of the auroral electrojet index time series. They find a correlation dimension of 3.4. For comparison they have generated a bicolored noise signal, and show that it shares many of the characteristics of the auroral electrojet data. They also find that the auroral electrojet time series is self-affine in nature.

Geomagnetic substorm association of plasmoids

Abstract: The relationship of geomagnetic substorms and plasmoids is examined by determining the correlation of the 366 plasmoids identified by Moldwin and Hughes (1992) with ground auroral zone magnetograms and geosynchronous particle data signatures of substorm onsets. Over 84 percent of the plasmoid events occurred between 5 and 60 min after the substorm onsets. We also find near one-to-one correlation between large isolated substorm signatures in the near-earth region and signatures consistent with a passing plasmoid in the distant tail. However, there does not appear to be an absolute correspondence of every substorm onset to a plasmoid signature in the deep tail especially for periods of prolonged disturbance that have multiple substorm onsets. A correlation of interplanetary magnetic field Bz south with plasmoid observations was also found. The locations of the near- and far-earth reconnection sites are estimated using the time of flight of the plasmoids from substorm onset to their observation at ISEE 3. The estimates of the near- and far-earth reconnection sites are highly variable and range from 10 to 140 R(E).

On the cause of thin current sheets in the near-Earth magnetotail and their possible significance for magnetospheric substorms

Abstract: The formation of thin current sheets in the near-Earth magnetotail during substorm growth phases is addressed in terms of a simple model. An appropriate part of the unperturbed magnetotail is represented by a plane sheet model. Perturbations are applied to the upper and to the left boundaries, representing the magnetopause and the near-Earth tail boundary, where the perturbation at the latter models the interaction between the tail and the inner magnetosphere. Treating the perturbation as ideal (dissipation-free), we found that singular current sheets develop in the midplane of the tail. The analytical results are explored numerically. Using realistic dimensions of the domain considered, the influence of the earthward boundary on current sheet formation dominates. It is argued that current sheet formation of this type plays an important role in the processes associated with the onset of magnetospheric substorms.

A global magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling model of substorms

Abstract: A global model of substorms is proposed on the basis of observational synthesis and theoretical modeling. Since the theoretical basis of the present model is the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling (MIC) process, it will be called the MIC model of substorms. Substorms can occur in the MIC model without a new X line formed in the near-Earth plasma sheet, in contrast to the highly popular near-Earth neutral line (NENL) model of substorms. Following enhanced dayside reconnection, the ionosphere overloads both the solar wind on open field lines and the plasma sheet on closed field lines. The solar wind responds to the overload by providing more driven energy from the dynamo action on open field lines. The plasma sheet responds to the overload by collapsing itself, i.e., dipolarizing its field configuration to form the substorm current wedge. The explosive intensification during the expansion phase is powered by releasing the magnetic energy stored on closed field lines in the plasma sheet. The stored energy is released by the unloading instability driven by a positive feedback in the substorm current wedge.

CDAW 9 analysis of magnetospheric events on May 3, 1986: Event C

Abstract: An intense geomagnetic substorm event on May 3, 1986, occurring toward the end of a strong storm period, is studied. The auroral electrojet indices and global imaging data from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres clearly revealed the growth phase and expansion phase development for a substorm with an onset at 0111 UT. An ideally located constellation of four spacecraft allowed detailed observation of the substorm growth phase in the near-tail region. A realistic time-evolving magnetic field model provided a global representation of the field configuration throughout the growth and early expansion phase of the substorm. Evidence of a narrowly localized substorm onset region in the near-earth tail is found. This region spread rapidly eastward and poleward after the 0111 UT onset. The results are consistent with a model of late growth phase formation of a magnetic neutral line. This reconnection region caused plasma sheet current diversion before the substorm onset and eventually led to cross-tail current disruption at the time of the substorm onset.

Dispersed ion structures at the poleward edge of the auroral oval : low-altitude observations and numerical modeling

Abstract: We have compared the AUREOL 3 (A3) observations of auroral ion precipitation, particularly ion beams, with the results from the global kinetic model of magnetotail plasma of Ashour-Abdalla et al. (1993). We have identified 101 energetic keV H(+) velocity dispersed precipitating ion structures (VDIS) with fluxes above 10(exp -3) ergs./sq cm./s in the A3 record between the end of 1981 and mid-1984. These beams display a systematic increase in energy with increasing latitude and were observed in a narrow region within less than 1 deg in latitude of the polar cap boundary. The VDIS are the most distinctive feature in the auroral zone of the plasma sheet boundary layer. We report first on a statistical analysis of the possible ralationships between magnetic activity or substorm phase and the VDIS properties. Our particle simulations of the precipitating ions have been extended by using a series of modified versions of the Tsyganenko (1989) magnetic field model and by varying the cross-magnetosphere electric field. In the simulations, plasma from a mantle source is subject to strong nonlinear acceleration, forming beams which flow along the PSBL. Only 3 to 4% of these beams precipitate into the ionosphere to form the VDIS while the majority return to the equatorial plane after mirroring and form the thermalized central plasma sheet. The final energy and the dispersion of the beams in the model depend on the amplitude of the cross-tail electric field. Two unsual observations of low-energy (less than 5 keV) O(+) VDIS, shifted by 4 deg 5 deg in invariant latitude equatorward of H(+) VDIS are analyzed in detail. The sparsity of such O(+) events and the absence of the changes in the flux and frequency of occurrence indicate a solar wind origin for the plasma. Finally, large-scale kinetic modeling, even with its simplifications and assumptions (e.g., static magnetic field, solar wind source), reproduces low-altitude auroral ion features fairly well; it may therefore be presented as an appropriate framework into which data on energization and transport of the hot plasma, obtained in the equatorial plane, could be inserted in the near future.

Nonlinear analysis of generalized cross‐field current instability

Abstract: Analysis of the generalized cross-field current instability is carried out in which cross-field drift of both the ions and electrons and their temperatures are permitted to vary in time. The unstable mode under consideration is the electromagnetic generalization of the classical modified-two-stream instability. The generalized instability is made of the modified-two-stream and ion-Weibel modes. The relative importance of the features associated with the ion-Weibel mode and those of the modified-two-stream mode is assessed. Specific applications are made to the Earth's neutral sheet prior to substorm onset and to the Earth's bow shock. The numerical solution indicates that the ion-Weibel mode dominates in the Earth's neutral sheet environment. In contrast, the situation for the bow shock is dominated by the modified-two-stream mode. Notable differences are found between the present calculation and previous results on ion-Weibel mode which restrict the analysis to only parallel propagating waves. However, in the case of Earth's bow shock for which the ion-Weibel mode plays no important role, the inclusion of the electromagnetic ion response is found to differ little from the previous results which treats ions responding only to the electrostatic component of the excited waves.

The response of the large scale ionospheric convection pattern to changes in the IMF and substorms - Results from the SUNDIAL 1987 campaign

Abstract: This paper reports multi-point observations of ionospheric convection made during the SUNDIAL 1987 campaign. Two specific intervals of varying interplanetary magnetic field, which also include several substorms, have been identified for detailed study. The two intervals differed considerably in both the input of energy from the solar wind to the magnetosphere prior to the substorm expansion phase onset and the response during the expansion phase. One substorm can be represented by the classical picture of growth phase, expansion phase and recovery phase. The other, which occurred during an interval of weak energy input from the solar wind to the magnetosphere, was more complex, in particular during the expansion phase. Observations of the earth's magnetic field in the midnight sector provide the timing of the expansion phase onset of substorms which allow the separation of ionospheric effects due to changes in IMF and substorms. The primary ionospheric effect of a change in the IMF from positive B z to negative B z is an enhancement in the plasma flow magnitude. The response time of the ionospheric convection to each southward turning varies from 15 minutes near 1800 MLT to 30 minutes near 2100 MLT and closer to an hour near midnight. In both instances, a growth phase can be identified as an increase in ionospheric convection following a southward turning of the IMF. The overall length of each growth phase was similar, about 90 minutes, despite the different prevailing solar wind and IMF conditions. Furthermore this time is somewhat longer than previous observations. During one of the substorms, which consisted of several intensifications, there is evidence that the nightside flow reversal moved progressively to earlier local times in response to each substorm intensification

Effects of magnetospheric electric fields and neutral winds on the low‐middle latitude ionosphere during the March 20‐21, 1990, storm

Abstract: During the geomagnetic storm of March 20-21, 1990, substorm activity is clearly evident in magnetometer data collected during the night at the middle- and low-latitude stations Fredericksburg (38.2°N, 282.6°E) and San Juan (18.1°N, 293.8°E). At the same time, incoherent scatter radars at Millstone Hill (42.6°N, 288.5°E) and Arecibo (18.3°N, 293.25°E) observed ionospheric storm effects, which included the penetration of magnetospheric electric fields and disturbance neutral winds to the latitude of Arecibo. The eastward electric fields associated with the substorm disturbances result in increases in the F2 peak height (hmF2) at Arecibo. Decreases in hmF2 follow as a result of increased downward diffusion and/or the effects of an ion drag induced poleward wind. During the intervals between the electric field penetration events, equatorward surges in the neutral wind result in westward electric fields by the disturbance dynamo mechanism. At these times the horizontal ionization drifts are not as strong as the neutral winds, apparently because of a partial shorting out of the dynamo electric fields as a result of some E region conductivity. The anticorrelation between the components of the ion drift parallel (V∥) and perpendicular to the magnetic field in the northward direction (V⊥N) results in approximately horizontal (constant altitude) ion drift motion throughout the interval. Calculations of spatial gradients in the electron density and in the components of the ion velocity are carried out using the multi-directional incoherent scatter observations at Arecibo. The results show that the variations in electron density during this disturbed interval follow closely the motion term in the F2 region continuity equation, with both advection of spatial gradients and divergence of the ion flow important at times.

EXOS D (Akebono) observations of molecular NO+ and N2 + upflowing ions in the high‐altitude auroral ionosphere

Abstract: The authors report on observation of molecular ion drift upward in the ionosphere in regions near to the cleft or auroral oval. In particular they observed NO{sup +}, N{sub 2}{sup +}, and even O{sub 2}{sup +} molecular ion flow upward. These fluxes were typically 5 to 15% of the total ion flux. Molecular ion drift is not observed in all passes through the polar region, and seems to correlate with periods of more intense activity. Their observations are compared with, and correlated with other observations at lower altitudes.

Superposed epoch analysis of pressure and magnetic field configuration changes in the plasma sheet

Abstract: Using data from 41 substorm events in the near-Earth magnetotail, we have combined plasma, energetic ion, and magnetic field data from the AMPTE/IRM spacecraft to perform a superposed epoch analysis of changes in the total pressure and in the magnetic field configuration as a function of time relative to substorm onset. Unloading is evident in the total pressure profile; the pressure decreases by about 20 percent. Pressure changes during the growth phase are not as uniform for the different substorms as the pressure changes during the expansion phase. To study changes in the magnetic field configuration, we have determined the development of the plasma pressure profiles in z for an average of data from 15 to 19 R(E). At substorm onset, the field line dipolarization begins on the innermost field lines and then progresses to the outer field lines. The field lines map the closest to the Earth about 45 min after substorm onset, and then begin to stretch out again during the recovery phase of the substorm.

Diurnal double maxima patterns in the F region ionosphere: Substorm-related aspects

Abstract: Daytime double maxima (twin peaks or bite-outs) in the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) at middle and lower latitudes are found to be related to substorm signatures shown in both auroral electrojet and ring current variations. Case studies reveal that during substorm onset and recovery phases, the penetration of magnetospheric convection electric fields and their subsequent {open_quotes}overshielding{close_quotes} effects may be the major dynamical sources of these events. A theoretical low-latitude ionospheric model is used to simulate the dynamical effects of electric field disturbances on F region electron density and TEC. It is demonstrated that the diurnal double maxima in TEC can be created by a combined effect of E x B drift and altitude-dependent F region chemical loss. The required zonal electric fields are found to have greater penetration efficiency in the early evening sector and their latitudinal requirements appear to change with local time. The time scales for the modeled penetration and overshielding effects are 2-3 hours. Modeling results also show that considerable structuring in the local time variation of the ionospheric {open_quotes}equatorial anomaly{close_quotes} can occur due to the interplay of convection electric field penetration and overshielding effects. The possible cause of the midday bite-out ionospheric disturbances by themore » meridional winds associated with traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) is also addressed in modeling studies, but the specialized nature of the required TADs makes this a less well understood substorm-related mechanism. 64 refs., 14 figs., 3 tabs.« less

The Galileo Earth encounter: Magnetometer and allied measurements

Abstract: An overview of the Galileo magnetometer observations from the crossing of the tail magnetopause at an antisolar distance of close to 100 R(E) through exit into the solar wind on the dayside is presented. These measurements are linked with correlative data from ground stations and from IMP 8 which was ideally located to serve as a monitor of the solar wind upstream of the bow shock. A time line of the important geomagnetic events of the day that provides a framework for the full multiinstrument analysis of the flyby data is presented. The observations are used to investigate apsects of the relationship between magnetotail dynamics and the separate intensifications of a multiple onset substorm inferred from ground-based data. It is proposed that the signatures associated with individual substorm intensifications are localized in the dawn-to-dusk extent even at remote locations in the magnetotail, just as they are in the ionosphere, and that the tail disturbances associated with successive substorm intensifications step across the tail towards the dusk flank.

Simultaneous observation of the poleward expansion of substorm electrojet activity and the tailward expansion of current sheet disruption in the near-earth magnetotail

Abstract: A substorm that occurred on 7 June 1985 at 2209 UT for which simultaneous measurements from ground stations and CCE are available is considered. The event occurred during a close conjunction between CCE, the EISCAT magnetometer cross, and the STARE radar, allowing a detailed comparison of satellite and ground-based data. Two discrete activations took place during the first few minutes of this substorm: the expansion phase onset at 2209 UT and an intensification at 2212 UT, corresponding to a poleward expansion of activity. The energetic particle data indicate that the active region of the magnetotail during the 2212 UT intensification was located tailward of the active region at 2209 UT. This is direct evidence for a correspondence between tailward expansion of localized activity in the near-earth magnetotail (current disruption and particle energization) and poleward expansion of activity (electrojet formation) in the ionosphere.