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At least 397 records · Page 22

Simultaneous stochastic inversion for geomagnetic main field and secular variation. I - A large-scale inverse problem

The method of stochastic inversion is extended to the simultaneous inversion of both main field and secular variation. In the present method, the time dependency is represented by an expansion in Legendre polynomials, resulting in a simple diagonal form for the a priori covariance matrix. The efficient preconditioned Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno algorithm is used to solve the large system of equations resulting from expansion of the field spatially to spherical harmonic degree 14 and temporally to degree 8. Application of the method to observatory data spanning the 1900-1980 period results in a data fit of better than 30 nT, while providing temporally and spatially smoothly varying models of the magnetic field at the core-mantle boundary.

Bloxham, Jeremy↗

Time-dependent polar wind modeling

In the presence of a strong magnetic field (such as the geomagnetic field) the plasma tends to flow along the magnetic-field lines; therefore, in most ionospheric flow calculations the use of the gyrotropic approximation is justified. Here, it is shown that the gyrotropic 20-moment approximation is equivalent to the gyrotropic 16-moment approximation. Consideration is then given to return-current-generated polar wind transients. Ionospheric return currents generate significant downward heavy ion flows in the topside ionosphere with peak values well exceeding 10 to the 8th/sq cm sec. When the return current ceases, the polar ionosphere rapidly returns to its previous equilibrium state. During the recovery phase of the return-current event, an upward-propagating heavy-ion transient is formed, which is mainly characterized by a relatively short O(+) upwelling event. The H(+) escape flux remains a relatively constant (within 10-20 percent) during field-aligned-current events.

Gombosi, T. I.↗

Low-latitude particle precipitation and associated local magnetic disturbances

The paper investigates the O(+) ion and NO(+) ion temperature and temperature anisotropy for a spatially homogeneous auroral F region in the presence of large electric fields perpendicular to the geomagnetic field. The maximum optical emissions at midlatitudes occur in concert with the maximum positive (northward) excursions in the H trace and with rapid fluctuations in the D trace of nearby magnetograms. The source of the particles is inferred to be the ring current, with precipitation occurring when the Dst index is large at the time of the large short-term excursions in the local magnetic field. This result is consistent with the finding of Voss and Smith (1979), derived from a series of rocket measurements of precipitating heavy particles, that the flux correlates better with the product of Dst and the exponential of Kp than with either alone. It is shown that the product of Dst and the amplitude of the short-term excursions in the horizontal component in local magnetograms has better time resolution and better correlation with the observed emission rates than the index using Kp.

Rassoul, H. K.↗

CIIs During the May 98 CMEs

The Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment (TIDE) instrument on the ISTP/Polar spacecraft observed intense Cusp Ion Injections (CIIs) during the May 1998 series of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). The energy signatures of the CIIs can be used to determine the magnetic field topology of the geomagnetic field and the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) at the reconnection site. Particle tracing using model magnetic fields and the TIDE on observations are used to locate the point of magnetopause crossing.

Chandler, Michael O.↗

Effects of Cutoffs on Galactic Cosmic-Ray Interactions in Solar-System Matter

The energetic particles in the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) induce many interactions in a variety of solar-system matter. Cosmogenic nuclides are used to study the histories of meteorites and lunar samples. Gamma rays and neutrons are used to map the compositions of planetary surfaces, such as Mars, the Moon, and asteroids. In almost all of these cases, the spectra of incident GCR particles are fairly similar, with only some modulation by the Sun over an 11-year cycle. Strong magnetic fields can seriously affect the energy spectrum of GCR particles hitting the surface of objects inside the magnetic fields. The Earth s geomagnetic field is strong enough that only GCR particles with magnetic rigidities above approx. 17 GV (a proton energy of approx. 17 GeV) reach the atmosphere over certain regions near the equator. This effect of removing lower-energy GCR particles is called a cutoff. The jovian magnetic fields are so strong that the fluxes of GCR particles hitting the 4 large Galilean satellites are similarly affected. The cutoff at Europa is estimated to be similar to or a little higher than at the Earth s equator.

Kim, K. J.↗

Comment on Decay of the Dst Field of Geomagnetic Disturbance After Substorm Onset and its Implication to Storm-Substorm Relation

Over the past few years, there has been a considerable revival in the study of geomagnetic storms stimulated by an increasing knowledge of the energetic particles which comprise the ring current. It is only in recent years that the composition of the ring current has been thouroughly explored and the important role of the oxygen component of the near Earth plasma sheet has become recognized.

geomagnetic storms near Earth plasma sheet ring cu↗

Quiet day magnetic field at ATS 1

Quiet day geomagnetic field measurements at synchronous orbit ATS 1, calculating equatorial component of interaction force between solar wind and earth

Coleman, P. J., Jr.↗

A mechanism for inducing climatic variations through the stratosphere - Screening of cosmic rays by solar and terrestrial magnetic fields

The ability of heliomagnetic and geomagnetic fields to bring about climatic variations of long period is examined theoretically. A chemical relationship between low-energy cosmic rays and ozone balance in the stratosphere is sought as a crucial clue to historical changes in earth climate. A perturbation analysis is developed to arrive at zone depletion and reduction of stratospheric solar heating resulting from increased NOx concentration; temperature feedback and opacity feedback are allowed for. Modulation of galactic cosmic-radiation fluxes and ozone destruction in the stratosphere, colder surface temperatures associated with reduced magnetic shielding, and redistribution with height of total ozone decrease are explored.

Chamberlain, J. W.↗

Calculation of secondary-electron escape currents from inclined-spacecraft surfaces in a magnetic field

In low Earth orbit, the geomagnetic field B(vector) is strong enough that secondary electrons emitted from spacecraft surfaces have an average gyroradius much smaller than typical dimensions of large spacecraft. This implies that escape of secondaries will be strongly inhibited on surfaces which are nearly parallel to B(vector), even if a repelling electric field exists outside them. This effect is likely to make an important contribution to the current balance and hence the equilibrium potential of such surfaces, making high voltage charging of them more likely. Numerically calculated escaping secondary electron fluxes are presented for these conditions. For use in numerical spacecraft charging simulations, an analytic curve fit to these results is given which is accurate to within 3% of the emitted current.

Laframboise, J. G.↗

EXPLORER X MAGNETIC FIELD RESULTS

Magnetic field and plasma flux measurements by explorer x in traversing the geomagnetic field and extending into the interplanetary medium

GEOMAGNETIC FIELD↗

Error enhancement in geomagnetic models derived from scalar data

Models of the main geomagnetic field are generally represented by a scalar potential gamma expanded in a finite number of spherical harmonics. Very accurate observations of F were used, but indications exist that the accuracy of models derived from them is considerably lower. One problem is that F does not always characterize gamma uniquely. It is not clear whether such ambiguity can be encountered in deriving gamma from F in geomagnetic surveys, but there exists a connection, due to the fact that the counterexamples of Backus are related to the dipole field, while the geomagnetic field is dominated by its dipole component. If the models are recovered with a finite error (i.e. they cannot completely fit the data and consequently have a small spurious component), this connection allows the error in certain sequences of harmonic terms in gamma to be enhanced without unduly large effects on the fit of F to the model.

Stern, D. P.↗