Magnetic structure of the boundary layer

Abstract

While magnetospheric convection appears to be driven by both magnetic reconnection and the 'viscous' dragging of closed flux tubes acting in varying proportions but with reconnection predominating as a cause, the action of the closed flux tubes of the low latitude boundary layer seems to predominate in driving system 1 field aligned currents and discrete auroras. ISEE boundary layer data for the magnetic shear effects associated with field aligned currents has occasionally shown a reverse draping of boundary layer field lines whose cause may be plasma entry around the cusps, a north-south asymmetry in current flow to the polar regions, or magnetic reconnection at high latitudes. Boundary layer encounter character and distribution asymmetries suggest that the boundary layer and/or plasma mantle may differ substantially at the dawn and dusk sides of the magnetosphere, and that their properties may have seasonal dependencies.