Physics Commons^™

A Study Of Omega Bands And Ps6 Pulsations On The Ground, At Low Altitude And At Geostationary Orbit, A. M. Jorgensen, Harlan E. Spence, T. J. Hughes, D. Mcdiarmid

Physics & Astronomy

We investigate the electrodynamic coupling between auroral omega bands and the inner magnetosphere. The goal of this study is to determine the features to which omega bands map in the magnetosphere. To establish the auroral-magnetosphere connection, we appeal to the case study analysis of the data rich event of September 26, 1989. At 6 magnetic local time (MLT), two trains of Ps6 pulsations (ground magnetic signatures of omega bands) were observed to drift over the Canadian Auroral Network For the OPEN Program Unified Study (CANOPUS) chain. At the same time periodic ionospheric flow patterns moved through the collocated Bistatic Auroral …

Cusp Energetic Ions: A Bow Shock Source, S. W. Chang, J. D. Scudder, S. A. Fuselier, J. F. Fennell, K. J. Trattner, J. S. Pickett, Harlan E. Spence, J. D. Menietti, W. K. Peterson, R. P. Lepping, R. Friedel

Physics & Astronomy

Recent interpretations of cusp energetic ions observed by the POLAR spacecraft have suggested a new energization process in the cusp [Chen et al., 1997; 1998]. Simultaneous enhancement of H⁺, He⁺², and O^>+2 fluxes indicates that they are of solar wind origin. In the present study, we examine H⁺ and He⁺² energy spectra from 20 eV to several 100 keV measured by the Hydra, Toroidal Imaging Mass-Angle Spectrograph (TIMAS), and Charge and Mass Magnetospheric Ion Composition Experiment (CAMMICE) on POLAR. The combined spectrum for each species is shown to be continuous with a …

The Global Response Of Relativistic Radiation Belt Electrons To The January 1997 Magnetic Cloud, G. D. Reeves, D. N. Baker, R. D. Belian, J. B. Blake, T. E. Cayton, J. F. Fennell, R. H.W. Friedel, M. M. Meier, R. S. Selesnick, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

In January 1997 a large fleet of NASA and US military satellites provided the most complete observations to date of the changes in >2 MeV electrons during a geomagnetic storm. Observations at geosynchronous orbit revealed a somewhat unusual two-peaked enhancement in relativistic electron fluxes [ Reeves et al., 1998]. In the heart of the radiation belts at L ≈ 4, however, there was a single enhancement followed by a gradual decay. Radial profiles from the POLAR and GPS satellites revealed three distinct phases. (1) In the acceleration phase electron fluxes increased simultaneously at L ≈ 4–6. (2) During the …

Coronal Mass Ejections, Magnetic Clouds, And Relativistic Magnetospheric Electron Events: Istp, D. N. Baker, T. I. Pulkkinen, X. Li, S. G. Kanekal, J. B. Blake, R. S. Selesnick, M. G. Henderson, G. D. Reeves, Harlan E. Spence, G. Rostoker

Physics & Astronomy

The role of high-speed solar wind streams in driving relativistic electron acceleration within the Earth's magnetosphere during solar activity minimum conditions has been well documented. The rising phase of the new solar activity cycle (cycle 23) commenced in 1996, and there have recently been a number of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and related “magnetic clouds” at 1 AU. As these CME/cloud systems interact with the Earth's magnetosphere, some events produce substantial enhancements in the magnetospheric energetic particle population while others do not. This paper compares and contrasts relativistic electron signatures observed by the POLAR, SAMPEX, Highly Elliptical Orbit, and geostationary …

The Discovery Of Trapped Energetic Electrons In The Outer Cusp, R. B. Sheldon, Harlan E. Spence, J. D. Sullivan, T. A, Fritz, Jiasheng Chen

Physics & Astronomy

We report on the POLAR/CEPPAD discovery of a trapped, 60°<θ<120° pitch angle electron population in the outer cusp (7−9+ Re), whose energetic electron component extends from below 30 keV to ∼2 MeV. Because the time variability in the outer cusp precludes mapping with POLAR, we have carried out test particle simulations using the Tsyganenko 1996 model (T96) to demonstrate the trapping of these energy electrons in the outer cusp region and the resonant frequencies of its trapped motion. We discuss the boundaries and regions of the cusp trap and show that it is analogous to the dipole trap. We show that the phase space densities observed there are equal or greater than the phase space densities observed in the radiation belts at constant magnetic moment, thus allowing the possibility of diffusive filling of the radiation belts from the cusp

Ampte/Cce‐Scatha Simultaneous Observations Of Substorm‐Associated Magnetic Fluctuations, S. Ohtani, K. Takahashi, T. Higuchi, A. T. Y. Lui, Harlan E. Spence, J. F. Fennell

Physics & Astronomy

This study examines substorm-associated magnetic field fluctuations observed by the AMPTE/CCE and SCATHA satellites in the near-Earth tail. Three tail reconfiguration events are selected, one event on August 28, 1986, and two consecutive events on August 30, 1986. The fractal analysis was applied to magnetic field measurements of each satellite. The result indicates that (1) the amplitude of the fluctuation of the north-south magnetic component is larger, though not overwhelmingly, than the amplitudes of the other two components and (2) the magnetic fluctuations do have a characteristic timescale, which is several times the proton gyroperiod. In the examined events the …

Cusp Energetic Particle Events: Implications For A Major Acceleration Region Of The Magnetosphere, J. Chen, T. A. Fritz, R. B. Sheldon, Harlan E. Spence, W. N. Spjeldvik, J. F. Fennell, S. Livi, C. T. Russell, J. S. Pickett, D. A. Gurnett

Physics & Astronomy

The Charge and Mass Magnetospheric Ion Composition Experiment (CAMMICE) on board the Polar spacecraft observed 75 energetic particle events in 1996 while the satellite was at apogee. All of these events were associated with a decrease in the magnitude of the local magnetic field measured by the Magnetic Field Experiment (MFE) on Polar. These new events showed several unusual features: (1) They were detected in the dayside polar cusp near the apogee of Polar with about 79% of the total events in the afternoonside and 21% in the morningside; (2) an individual event could last for hours; (3) the measured …

Global Energetic Neutral Atom (Ena) Measurements And Their Association With The Dst Index, A. M. Jorgensen, Harlan E. Spence, M. G. Henderson, G. D. Reeves, M. Sugiura, T. Kamei

Physics & Astronomy

We present a new global magnetospheric index that measures the intensity of the Earth's ring current through energetic neutral atoms (ENAs). We have named it the Global Energetic Neutral Index (GENI), and it is derived from ENA measurements obtained by the Imaging Proton Spectrometer (IPS), part of the Comprehensive Energetic Particle and Pitch Angle Distribution (CEPPAD) experiment on the POLAR satellite. GENI provides a simple orbit-independent global sum of ENAs measured with IPS. Actual ENA measurements for the same magnetospheric state look different when seen from different points in the POLAR orbit. In addition, the instrument is sensitive …

Initial Polar Mfe Observation Of Substorm Signatures In The Polar Magnetosphere, H. Kawano, G. Le, C. T. Russell, G. Rostoker, T. Mukai, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

This paper studies substorm influences in the polar magnetosphere using data from the POLAR magnetic field experiment (MFE). The POLAR spacecraft remains in the high altitude polar magnetosphere for extended periods around apogee. There it can stay at nearly constant altitude through all phases of a substorm, which was not possible on previous missions. We report such an event on March 28, 1996. Ground magnetometers monitored substorm activity, while the POLAR spacecraft, directly over the pole at (−0.8, −0.6, 8.5) R_E in GSM coordinates, observed a corresponding perturbation in the total magnetic field strength. The total magnetic field first …

First Polar And 1995-034 Observations Of The Midaltitude Cusp During A Persistent Northward Imf Condition, M. Grande, J. Fennell, S. Livi, B. Kellett, C. Perry, P. Anderson, J. Roeder, Harlan E. Spence, T. Fritz, B. Wilken

Physics & Astronomy

We present the first observations by Polar and 1995-034 of the mid-altitude cusp. On May 29, 1996, the Polar and 1995-034 spacecraft crossed into an extended cusp region. The region was characterized by intense fluxes of solar wind like ions in the energy range 1–10 keV that had angular distributions that showed evidence of flows and trapping. The ion composition data are combined with energetic proton observations from Polar and plasma observations from 1995-034 and DMSP satellites to examine the spatial and temporal extent and plasma characteristics of the cusp during a persistent northward IMF condition. The composition data is …

A New, Temporarily Confined Population In The Polar Cap During The August 27, 1996 Geomagnetic Field Distortion Period, Jiasheng Chen, Theodore A. Fritz, Robert B. Sheldon, Harlan E. Spence, Walther N. Spjeldvik, Joseph F. Fennell, Stefano Livi

Physics & Astronomy

On August 27, 1996, a two-hour energetic heavy ion event (∼1 MeV) was detected at 8:25 UT at apogee (∼9 Re and an invariant latitude of ∼80°), by the Charge and Mass Magnetospheric Ion Composition Experiment onboard POLAR. The event, with a maximum spin averaged peak flux of ∼150 particles/(cm²-sr-s-MeV), showed three local peaks corresponding to three localized regions; the ion pitch angle distributions in the three regions were different from an isotropic distribution and different from each other. No comparable flux was observed by the WIND spacecraft. The appearance of lower energy He++ and O > +2 during the event …

First Energetic Neutral Atom Images From Polar, M. G. Henderson, G. D. Reeves, Harlan E. Spence, R. B. Sheldon, A. M. Jorgensen, J. B. Blake, J. F. Fennell

Physics & Astronomy

Energetic neutral atoms are created when energetic magnetospheric ions undergo charge exchange with cold neutral atoms in the Earth's tenuous extended atmosphere (the geocorona). Since they are unaffected by the Earth's magnetic field, these energetic neutrals travel away in straight line trajectories from the points of charge exchange. The remote detection of these particles provides a powerful means through which the global distribution and properties of the geocorona and ring current can be inferred. Due to its 2 × 9 RE polar orbit, the Polar spacecraft provides an excellent platform from which to observe ENAs because it spends much of …

Recurrent Geomagnetic Storms And Relativistic Electron Enhancements In The Outer Magnetosphere: Istp Coordinated Measurements, D. N. Baker, X. Li, N. Turner, J. H. Allen, L. F. Bargatze, J. B. Blake, R. B. Sheldon, Harlan E. Spence, R. D. Belian, G. D. Reeves, S. G. Kanekal, B. Klecker

Physics & Astronomy

New, coordinated measurements from the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) constellation of spacecraft are presented to show the causes and effects of recurrent geomagnetic activity during recent solar minimum conditions. It is found using WIND and POLAR data that even for modest geomagnetic storms, relativistic electron fluxes are strongly and rapidly enhanced within the outer radiation zone of the Earth's magnetosphere. Solar wind data are utilized to identify the drivers of magnetospheric acceleration processes. Yohkoh solar soft X-ray data are also used to identify the solar coronal holes that produce the high-speed solar wind streams which, in turn, cause the recurrent …

Empirical Modeling Of The Quiet Time Nightside Magnetosphere, A. T. Y. Lui, Harlan E. Spence, D. P. Stern

Physics & Astronomy

Empirical modeling of plasma pressure and magnetic field for the quiet time nightside magnetosphere is investigated. Two models are constructed for this study. One model, referred to here as T89R, is basically the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1989) but is modified by the addition of an inner eastward ring current at a radial distance of ∼3 RE as suggested by observation. The other is a combination of the T89R model and the long version of the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1987) such that the former dominates the magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere, whereas the latter prevails in …

Characteristics Of Ion Flow In The Quiet Inner Plasma Sheet, V. Angelopoulos, C. F. Kennel, F. V. Coroniti, R. Pellat, Harlan E. Spence, Margaret G. Kivelson, Raymond J. Walker, W. Baumjohann, W. C. Feldman, J. T. Gosling, C. T. Russell

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We use AMPTE/IRM and ISEE 2 data to study the properties of the high beta (β_i > 0.5) plasma sheet, the inner plasma sheet (IPS). Bursty bulk flows (BBFs) are excised from the two databases, and the average flow pattern in the non-BBF (quiet) IPS is constructed. At local midnight this ensemble-average flow is predominantly duskward; closer to the flanks it is mostly earthward. The flow pattern agrees qualitatively with calculations based on the Tsyganenko [1987] model (T87), where the earthward flow is due to the ensemble-average cross tail electric field and the duskward flow is the diamagnetic drift …

Contributions Of The Low-Latitude Boundary Layer To The Finite Width Magnetotail Convection Model, Harlan E. Spence, M. G. Kivelson

Physics & Astronomy

Convection of plasma within the terrestrial nightside plasma sheet contributes to the structure and, possibly, the dynamical evolution of the magnetotail. In order to characterize the steady state convection process, we have extended the finite tail width model of magnetotail plasma sheet convection. The model assumes uniform plasma sources and accounts for both the duskward gradient/curvature drift and the earthward E × B drift of ions in a two-dimensional magnetic geometry. During periods of slow convection (i.e., when the cross-tail electric potential energy is small relative to the source plasma's thermal energy), there is a significant net duskward displacement of …

On The Standing Wave Mode Of Giant Pulsations, K. Takahashi, N. Sato, J. Warnecke, H. Luhr, Harlan E. Spence, Y. Tonegawa

Physics & Astronomy

Both odd-mode and even-mode standing wave structures have been proposed for giant pulsations. Unless a conclusion is drawn on the field-aligned mode structure, little progress can be made in understanding the excitation mechanism of giant pulsations. In order to determine the standing wave mode, we have made a systematic survey of magnetic field data from the AMPTE CCE spacecraft and from ground stations located near the geomagnetic foot point of CCE. We selected time intervals when CCE was close to the magnetic equator and also magnetically close to Syowa and stations in Iceland, and when either transverse or compressional Pc …

Dmsp F7 Observations Of A Substorm Field‐Aligned Current, R. E. Lopez, Harlan E. Spence, C. Meng

Physics & Astronomy

In this paper we present observations of a substorm field-aligned current (FAC) system that DMSP F7 traversed just after 0300 UT on April 25, 1985. Ground magnetometer data show that a major substorm was in progress at that time and that DMSP F7 flew through a region of predominantly upward FAC. The DMSP F7 magnetic field data are consistent with this interpretation. The precipitating particle data suggest that there were three distinct large-scale FAC systems. In ascending latitude these were a downward current, an upward current, and a paired upward/downward current system. We identify the first current, which was coincident …

Ulf Waves In The Low‐Latitude Boundary Layer And Their Relationship To Magnetospheric Pulsations: A Multisatellite Observation, K. Takahashi, D. G. Sibeck, P. T. Newell, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

On April 30 (day 120), 1985, the magnetosphere was compressed at 0923 UT and the subsolar magnetopause remained near 7 REgeocentric for ∼2 hours, during which the four spacecraft Spacecraft Charging At High Altitude (SCATHA), GOES 5, GOES 6, and Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) CCE were all in the magnetosphere on the morning side. SCATHA was in the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) in the second half of this period. The interplanetary magnetic field was inferred to be northward from the characteristics of precipitating particle fluxes as observed by the low-altitude satellite Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F7 and …

Magnetospheric Plasma Pressures In The Midnight Meridian: Observations From 2.5 To 35 Re, Harlan E. Spence, M. G. Kivelson, R. J. Walker, D. J. Mccomas

Physics & Astronomy

Plasma pressure data from the ISEE 2 fast plasma experiment (FPE) were statistically analyzed to determine the plasma sheet pressure versus distance in the midnight local time sector of the near-earth (12–35 RE) magnetotail plasma sheet. The observed plasma pressure, assumed isotropic, was mapped along model magnetic field flux tubes (obtained from the Tsyganenko and Usmanov [1982] model) to the magnetic equator, sorted according to magnetic activity, and binned according to the mapped equatorial location. In regions (L ≳ 12 RE) where the bulk of the plasma pressure was contributed by particles in the energy range of the FPE (70 …

On The Possibility Of Quasi-Static Convection In The Quiet Magnetotail, Margaret G. Kivelson, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

The magnetotail is known to serve as a reservoir of energy transferred into the terrestrial magnetosphere from the solar wind. In principle, the stored energy can be dissipated impulsively, as in a substorm, or steadily through the process of steady adiabatic plasma convection. However, some theoretical arguments have suggested that quasi-static adiabatic convection cannot occur throughout the magnetotail because of the structure of the magnetic field. Here we reexamine the question. We show that in a magnetotail of finite width, downtail pressure gradients depend strongly on the ratio of the potential across half the tail to the ion temperature …

Static Magnetic Field Models Consistent With Nearly Isotropic Plasma Pressure, Harlan E. Spence, Margaret G. Kivelson, Raymond J. Walker

Physics & Astronomy

Using the empirical magnetospheric magnetic field models of Tsyganenko and Usmanov (TU), we have determined the self-consistent plasma pressure gradients and anisotropies along the midnight meridian in the near-Earth magnetosphere. By “inverting” the magnetic field, we determine what distributions of an anisotropic plasma, confined within the specified magnetic field configuration, are consistent with the magnetohydrostatic equilibrium condition, J × B = ∇ · P. The TU model, parameterized for different levels of geomagnetic activity by the Kp index, provided the magnetic field values from which J × B was numerically evaluated. A best fit solution was found that minimized the …

The Average Magnetic Field Draping And Consistent Plasma Properties Of The Venus Magnetotail, David J. Mccomas, Harlan E. Spence, C. T. Russell, M. A. Saunders

Physics & Astronomy

A new technique has been developed to determine the average structure of the Venus magnetotail (in the range from −8 R_v to −12 R_v) from the Pioneer Venus magnetometer observations. The spacecraft position with respect to the cross-tail current sheet is determined from an observed relationship between the field-draping angle and the magnitude of the field referenced to its value in the nearby magnetosheath. This allows us statistically to remove the effects of tail flapping and variability of draping for the first time and thus to map the average field configuration in the Venus tail. From this …