Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976jgr....81..235r&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 81, Jan. 1, 1976, p. 235-244. Research supported by the Swedish Board for Space Activitie
Physics
19
Auroral Zones, Birkeland Currents, Current Sheets, Earth Magnetosphere, Geomagnetic Tail, Atmospheric Models, Electric Fields, Energy Dissipation, Field Aligned Currents, Lines Of Force, Magnetohydrodynamic Generators, Neutral Sheets, Plasma Dynamics
Scientific paper
Birkeland (field-aligned) sheet currents flowing into and out of the auroral oval as reported by Zmuda and Armstrong (1974) are integrally associated with convective motion of plasma in the magnetotail. It is demostrated that these currents can be driven by energy supplied by the braking of this convective motion of the plasma sheet particles as they drift toward the flanks of the magnetosphere. In the ionosphere the sheet currents close as Pedersen currents, resulting in the dissipation of power, while far from the earth the closure currents, which provide the braking force for the plasma, flow in the plasma sheet approximately normal to the neutral sheet out to radial distances of about 80 earth radii. During periods of moderate magnetospheric activity the Birkeland currents result in a rate of dissipation of convective energy of the order of 10 GW.
Bostrom Rolf
Rostoker Gordon
No associations
LandOfFree
A mechanism for driving the gross Birkeland current configuration in the auroral oval 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 A mechanism for driving the gross Birkeland current configuration in the auroral oval, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A mechanism for driving the gross Birkeland current configuration in the auroral oval will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1573528