Physics
Scientific paper
Apr 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997jgr...102.7159b&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 102, Issue A4, p. 7159-7168
Physics
41
Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere/Ionosphere Interactions, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetotail, Magnetospheric Physics: Solar Wind/Magnetosphere Interactions, Magnetospheric Physics: Storms And Substorms
Scientific paper
Magnetospheric substorms represent a global interaction between the solar wind, the magnetosphere, and the ionosphere. Energy extracted from the solar wind is episodically stored in the magnetosphere, with a large fraction of this energy being in the form of excess magnetic flux in the magnetotail lobes. The stored energy is periodically dissipated in an explosive instability that occurs in the near-Earth plasma sheet at substorm expansive phase onset. Methods are discussed to estimate the amount of energy transferred from the solar wind to the magnetosphere during substorm growth phases. Observational and modeling constraints are then used to assess quantitatively the total amount of energy stored in the plasma sheet and magnetotail lobes. Possible energy sources to drive substorm evolution are evaluated in one particularly well-observed case (May 3, 1986). By examining the major avenues of energy dissipation, the energy that is released in the form of plasma sheet heating, ionospheric Joule heating, etc. is assessed during the substorm. It is found that stored tail-lobe energy is sufficient (by a factor of 3 or more) to drive observed substorm dissipation processes. On the other hand, energy in the closed field lines of the plasma sheet is insufficient (by a substantial margin) to supply the substorm energy.
Baker Daniel N.
Hesse Matthias
McPherron Robert L.
Pulkkinen Tuija I.
No associations
LandOfFree
A quantitative assessment of energy storage and release in the Earth's magnetotail 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 quantitative assessment of energy storage and release in the Earth's magnetotail, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A quantitative assessment of energy storage and release in the Earth's magnetotail will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1319258