Configuration of high-latitude and high-altitude boundary layers

Details Configuration of high-latitude and high-altitude boundary layers Configuration of high-latitude and high-altitude boundary layers

Oct 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000jgr...10523221e&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 105, Issue A10, p. 23221-23238

Physics

26

Magnetospheric Physics: Current Systems, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetopause, Cusp, And Boundary Layers, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetospheric Configuration And Dynamics, Magnetospheric Physics: Solar Wind/Magnetosphere Interactions

Scientific paper

We report comprehensive statistical results for 4 years of Hawkeye observations totaling 1757 boundary crossings. Our objective is to use the full set of Hawkeye plasma, magnetic field, and plasma wave data to identify every cusp-associated data interval (entry layer, cusp, plasma mantle), to spatially map these regions, and to isolate the primary variables affecting their occurrence frequency and location. We find that SM coordinates best order the angular position of cusp region data intervals and that GSM coordinates are better for ordering in radial distance, especially for the plasma mantle. Dipole tilt and external pressure are the primary variables affecting high-latitude and high-altitude boundary configuration. Compared to these, the effects of IMF parameters are minor although discernable when adequate corrections are made for dipole tilt and pressure. New results on cusp flaring and indentation of the high-latitude boundary are obtained by limiting this data set in pressure, varying dipole tilt ranges, and examining changes in boundary configuration in both SM and GSM coordinates. We find that as the dipole tilts more toward the oncoming magnetosheath plasma flow, indentation becomes enlarged and the cusp outflow region, the plasma mantle, becomes more flared out relative to the Earth-Sun line. In contrast, as the dipole tilts away from the Sun direction, cusp indentation is reduced but the cusp outflow region remains flared out compared to boundary shapes inferred from low-latitude observations. A semiempirical magnetopause model by Boardsen et al. [this issue] compares very well with the high-latitude boundary layer observations reported here including a test for hemispheric symmetry, which is assumed by the model.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Configuration of high-latitude and high-altitude boundary layers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Configuration of high-latitude and high-altitude boundary layers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Configuration of high-latitude and high-altitude boundary layers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-875122