Pressure profiles of a plasma confined by the magnetic field of a ring current

2000 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 484-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Popovich ◽  
V. D. Shafranov
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Pressure Profiles ◽  
The Magnetic Field

scholarly journals Strong Southward and Northward Currents Observed in the Inner Plasma Sheet

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyan Yang ◽  
Chao Shen ◽  
Yong Ji
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Generation Mechanism ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Current Generation ◽  
Inner Magnetosphere ◽  
Latitude Region ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. It is generally believed that field aligned currents (FACs) and the ring current (RC) are two dominant parts of the inner magnetosphere. However, using the Cluster spacecraft crossing of the pre-midnight inner plasma sheet in the latitude region between 10° N and 30° N, it is found that, during large storm events, in addition to FACs and the RC, there also exist strong southward and northward currents, which cannot be FACs, because the magnetic field in these regions is mainly along the XY plane. Detailed investigation shows that both magnetic field lines (MFLs) and currents in these regions highly fluctuate. When the curvature of MFLs changes direction in the XY plane, the current also alternatively switches between southward and northward. Further analysis of the current generation mechanism indicates that the most reasonable candidate for the origin of these southward and northward currents is the curvature drift of energetic particles.

scholarly journals Study of the applicability of the curlometer technique with the four Cluster spacecraft in regions close to Earth

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Grimald ◽  
I. Dandouras ◽  
P. Robert ◽  
E. Lucek
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Current System ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Inner Magnetosphere ◽  
Good Proxy ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetospheric Current System

Abstract. Knowledge of the inner magnetospheric current system (intensity, boundaries, evolution) is one of the key elements for the understanding of the whole magnetospheric current system. In particular, the calculation of the current density and the study of the changes in the ring current is an active field of research as it is a good proxy for the magnetic activity. The curlometer technique allows the current density to be calculated from the magnetic field measured at four different positions inside a given current sheet using the Maxwell-Ampere's law. In 2009, the CLUSTER perigee pass was located at about 2 RE allowing a study of the ring current deep inside the inner magnetosphere, where the pressure gradient is expected to invert direction. In this paper, we use the curlometer in such an orbit. As the method has never been used so deep inside the inner magnetosphere, this study is a test of the curlometer in a part of the magnetosphere where the magnetic field is very high (about 4000 nT) and changes over small distances (ΔB = 1nT in 1000 km). To do so, the curlometer has been applied to calculate the current density from measured and modelled magnetic fields and for different sizes of the tetrahedron. The results show that the current density cannot be calculated using the curlometer technique at low altitude perigee passes, but that the method may be accurate in a [3 RE; 5 RE] or a [6 RE; 8.3 RE] L-shell range. It also demonstrates that the parameters used to estimate the accuracy of the method are necessary, but not sufficient conditions.

scholarly journals Distortions of the magnetic field by storm-time current systems in Earth's magnetosphere

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Yu. Ganushkina ◽  
M. W. Liemohn ◽  
M. V. Kubyshkina ◽  
R. Ilie ◽  
H. J. Singer
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Geostationary Orbit ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Inner Magnetosphere ◽  
Tail Current ◽  
Modeling Approaches ◽  
Intense Storm ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Moderate Storm

Abstract. Magnetic field and current system changes in Earth's inner magnetosphere during storm times are studied using two principally different modeling approaches: on one hand, the event-oriented empirical magnetic field model, and, on the other, the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) built around a global MHD simulation. Two storm events, one moderate storm on 6–7 November 1997 with Dst minimum about −120 nT and one intense storm on 21–23 October 1999 with Dst minimum about −250 nT were modeled. Both modeling approaches predicted a large ring current (first partial, later symmetric) contribution to the magnetic field perturbation for the intense storm. For the moderate storm, the tail current plays a dominant role in the event-oriented model results, while the SWMF results showed no strong tail current in the main phase, which resulted in a poorly timed storm peak relative to the observations. These results imply that the the development of a ring current depends on a strong force to inject the particles deep into the inner magnetosphere, and that the tail current is an important external source for the distortions of the inner magnetospheric magnetic field for both storms. Neither modeling approach was able to reproduce all the variations in the Bx and By components observed at geostationary orbit by GOES satellites during these two storms: the magnetopause current intensifications are inadequate, and the field-aligned currents are not sufficiently represented. While the event-oriented model reproduces rather well the Bz component at geostationary orbit, including the substorm-associated changes, the SWMF field is too dipolar at these locations. The empirical model is a useful tool for validation of the first-principle based models such as the SWMF.

Experimental studies in magneto-fluid dynamics: flow over a sphere with a cylindrical afterbody

1969 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Maxworthy
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Dynamic Flow ◽  
Composite Body ◽  
Pressure Drag ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Pressure Profiles ◽  
Measured Pressure ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The measured pressure distributions over the front hemisphere of a hemispherecylinder combination placed in an aligned fields magneto-fluid dynamic flow are presented. Integration of the pressure profiles show that the form or pressure drag of the composite body first increases as the magnetic field strength increases, at a fixed flow velocity, but then decreases as the magnetic field becomes still stronger.

scholarly journals Modelling of the ring current in Saturn's magnetosphere

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 653-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Giampieri ◽  
M. K. Dougherty
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Equatorial Current ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Current Systems ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. The existence of a ring current inside Saturn's magnetosphere was first suggested by Smith et al. (1980) and Ness et al. (1981, 1982), in order to explain various features in the magnetic field observations from the Pioneer 11 and Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft. Connerney et al. (1983) formalized the equatorial current model, based on previous modelling work of Jupiter's current sheet and estimated its parameters from the two Voyager data sets. Here, we investigate the model further, by reconsidering the data from the two Voyager spacecraft, as well as including the Pioneer 11 flyby data set. First, we obtain, in closed form, an analytic expression for the magnetic field produced by the ring current. We then fit the model to the external field, that is the difference between the observed field and the internal magnetic field, considering all the available data. In general, through our global fit we obtain more accurate parameters, compared to previous models. We point out differences between the model's parameters for the three flybys, and also investigate possible deviations from the axial and planar symmetries assumed in the model. We conclude that an accurate modelling of the Saturnian disk current will require taking into account both of the temporal variations related to the condition of the magnetosphere, as well as non-axisymmetric contributions due to local time effects. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (current systems; planetary magnetospheres; plasma sheet)

scholarly journals 33. The present state of the corpuscular theory of magnetic storms

1958 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 295-311
Author(s):  
V. C. A. Ferraro
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Storm ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Plane Surface ◽  
Magnetic Storms ◽  
Main Phase ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Stream Surface ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The evidence in favour of a corpuscular theory of magnetic storms is briefly reviewed and reasons given for believing that the stream must be neutral but ionized and carry no appreciable current. It is shown that under suitable conditions the stream is able to pass freely through a solar magnetic field; the stream may also be able to carry away with it a part of this field. However, because of geometrical broadening of the stream during its passage from the sun to the earth, the magnetic field imprisoned in the gas may be wellnigh unobservable near the earth.The nature, composition and dimensions of the stream near the earth are discussed and it is concluded that on arrival the stream will present very nearly a plane surface to the earth if undistorted by the magnetic field.Because of its large dimensions, the stream will behave as if it were perfectly conducting. During its advance in the earth's magnetic field the currents induced in the stream will therefore be practically confined to the surface. The action of the magnetic field on this current is to retard the surface of the stream which being highly distortible will become hollowed out. Since the stream surface is impervious to the interpenetration of the magnetic tubes of force, these will be compressed in the hollow space. The intensity of the magnetic field is thereby increased and this increase is identified with the beginning of the first phase of a magnetic storm. This increase will be sudden, as observed, owing to the rapid approach of the stream to the earth.The distortion of the stream surface is discussed and it is pointed out that two horns will develop on the surface, one north and the other south of the geomagnetic equator. Matter pouring through these two horns will find its way to the polar regions.The main phase of a magnetic storm seems most simply explained as due to a westward ring-current flowing round the earth in its equatorial plane. Under suitable conditions such a ring-current would be stable if once set up. The mode of formation of the ring is, however, largely conjectural. The possibility that the main phase may be of atmospheric origin is also briefly considered. It is shown that matter passing through the two horns to the polar regions could supply the energy necessary for the setting up of the field during the main phase. The magnetic evidence in favour of such a hypothesis, however, seems wanting.

scholarly journals The Magnetic Field in the Inner 70 Parsecs of the Milky Way

1990 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 361-368
Author(s):  
Mark Morris
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Galactic Center ◽  
Polarization Data ◽  
Dust Layer ◽  
Local Distortion ◽  
Scale Field ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Field Geometry ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Existing radiofrequency data on the center of the Galaxy are used to defend the hypothesis that the magnetic field within a radius of at least 70 pc of the nucleus has a poloidal geometry, is relatively uniform in strength, and is very strong relative to extended fields measured elsewhere in the Galaxy, having a flux density greater than or about a milligauss. The implications of this strong, pervasive field are: 1) that a strong ring current is present at radii beyond 70 pc, and 2) that the dynamics of molecular clouds in the Galactic center are significantly affected by, though probably not dominated by, the magnetic field. At radii within 5 pc, far-IR polarization data suggest a substantial deviation of the magnetic field from a poloidal geometry, at least within the gas and dust layer. There, the coupling of the field to the rapidly orbiting gas near the nucleus is presumably responsible for this local distortion of the larger-scale field geometry.

A neutral line discharge theory of the aurora polaris

1961 ◽  
Vol 253 (1031) ◽  
pp. 359-406 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Equatorial Plane ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Neutral Line ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Lines Of Force

A theory of the aurora polaris is proposed which attempts to explain many features of the complicated morphology of auroral displays. One basis of the theory is the presence, during magnetic disturbance, of additional or enhanced magnetic fields due to electric currents within a distance of several earth radii from the earth’s centre. One such field (denoted by DCF) is due to electric currents flowing near the inner surface of the solar stream that then envelopes the earth. A hollow is carved in the stream by the geomagnetic field. The other field (denoted by DR) is that of an electric ring current, additional or enhanced, that flows westward round the earth. This is carried by the particles of the Van Allen belts. A third field (denoted by DP) is that of the disturbance currents that flow in the ionosphere, under the impulsion of electromotive forces generated mainly in polar regions. We consider it likely that during magnetic storms and auroral displays, neutral lines appear in the magnetic field near the earth. These will lie mainly on the dark side of the earth, in or near the equatorial plane, on the nearer side of the ring current. At times these lines may extend over more than 180° of longitude, so that a part of them may lie on the sunward side of the earth. These neutral lines are of two types, which we call O and X they appear together, in pairs. During disturbed conditions there may be more than one pair. Lines of force cross at points on X neutral lines, but they do not pass through O neutral lines. As Dungey has shown, charged particles will tend to be concentrated near X points (of which the X neutral lines are the locus). Charges drawn toward the neutral line will be discharged into the earth’s atmosphere along the lines of magnetic force. We suggest that the location, nature and motions of the auroral forms are determined by the position, form and motion of the X neutral lines, lying in or near the plane of the geomagnetic equator. It seems necessary to suppose, in addition, that an electric field arises sporadically along the X lines. When this is absent, the aurora appears as a quiet arc. The onset of the suggested electric field concentrates the charges more narrowly near the X line and near the lines of force that extend from it to the auroral zone. This produces extremely thin-rayed auroral arcs. The above concentration of electrons near an X neutral line produces a large flux of electrons, while the proton flux is diminished. A dynamical instability due to this flux difference (the space charge density is supposed to be very small) produces a slight separation of protons and electrons along and near the lines of force through the X line. Hence in the auroral ionosphere there is an associated electric field. This is usually directed towards the equator. It drives electric current, usually westward, along the auroral zones, and produces the strong magnetic disturbances (DP) there observed. Birkeland called these polar elementary storms. The rapid auroral changes are ascribed to instabilities of the magnetic field in the region near the X line or lines, to the rear of the earth, where the resultant magnetic field is weak. The ray structure in the auroral arc is ascribed to an instability of the thin sheet of electron flow. Cosmic rockets have shown that the magnetic field, up to and beyond ten earth radii, departs from the values corresponding to the internally produced main geomagnetic field. As yet these explorations do not seem to have disclosed the existence of reversals of the field in or near the magnetic equatorial plane. But on the basis of our auroral hypothesis, we predict with considerable confidence that such reversals will be found to occur, on the dark side of the earth, during great auroral displays. The theory here proposed is discussed in connexion with recent I. G. Y. and I. G. C. auroral, magnetic and other data.

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