Plasmasphere and Plasmapause

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Authors
Pierrard, V.
Discipline
Physical sciences
Subject
magnetopause
reconnection
magnetosheath
boundary layers
solar wind interactions
substorm
steady magnetospheric convection
sawtooth event
magnetosphere coupling
radiation belts
ring current
plasma waves
wave measurements
electric field
magnetic field
plasmasphere
plasmapause
geomagnetic storms
Audience
Scientific
Date
2019Publisher
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
Since the discovery of the magnetosphere-magnetotail system in the1950s-1960s), and the associated beginning of the satellite era, we have gained a well-informed understanding of this space plasma region permeated by the geomagnetic field and home to a variety of charged particle populations and plasma waves. Over the last six decades, IAGA has played an important role in supporting international magnetospheric research. Here we provide an overview of recent developments in energy transport from the solar wind into the Earth’s environment. Topics include, magnetosphere energy input, the role of the boundary layer. Solar wind interaction with the magnetosphere creates geomagnetic activity and the response of the region leading to sub-storms and steady magnetospheric convection are discussed. The charged particle energy (eV to MeV) inherent/contained in the magnetospheric ring current and Van Allen radiation belts establish many properties of the region, giving rise to boundary regions and waves. Results from recent state of the art and currently operating Earth orbiting satellites (Cluster, THEMIS, Van Allen Probes, Magnetosphere MultiScale), are providing exciting new results. Waves from magnetospheric scale ultra-low frequency (ULF) from a few milliHertz, up to upper hybrid waves and continuum radiation in the 1-2 MHz band. Finally, current understanding of the plasmasphere and associated boundary the plasmapause, are considered.
Citation
Pierrard, V. (2019). Plasmasphere and Plasmapause. (Mandea, M., Ed.), Geomagnetism, Aeronomy and Space Weather: A Journey from the Earth's Core to the Sun, 175-180, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1017/9781108290135.Identifiers
Type
Book chapter
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng