A three‐dimensional dynamic kinetic model of the plasmasphere

Pierrard, Viviane; Stegen, K.

doi:10.1029/2008ja013060

Cited by 62 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Note that these views, like Fig. 4b, are presented in a different coordinate system than the familiar meridian views where L-shells are drawing closed contours passing through the centre of the Earth (see for instance Laakso et al, 2002;Huang et al, 2004;Pierrard and Stegen, 2008). Here, L-shells are drawing geocentric circles (L-values indicated on horizontal axes).…”

Section: Global Maps Of Density Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refilling process in the plasmasphere: a 3-D statistical characterization based on Cluster density observations

Lointier¹,

Darrouzet

Décréau³

et al. 2013

Ann. Geophys.

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Abstract. The Cluster mission offers an excellent opportunity to investigate the evolution of the plasma population in a large part of the inner magnetosphere, explored near its orbit's perigee, over a complete solar cycle. The WHISPER sounder, on board each satellite of the mission, is particularly suitable to study the electron density in this region, between 0.2 and 80 cm−3. Compiling WHISPER observations during 1339 perigee passes distributed over more than three years of the Cluster mission, we present first results of a statistical analysis dedicated to the study of the electron density morphology and dynamics along and across magnetic field lines between L = 2 and L = 10. In this study, we examine a specific topic: the refilling of the plasmasphere and trough regions during extended periods of quiet magnetic conditions. To do so, we survey the evolution of the ap index during the days preceding each perigee crossing and sort out electron density profiles along the orbit according to three classes, namely after respectively less than 2 days, between 2 and 4 days, and more than 4 days of quiet magnetic conditions (ap ≤ 15 nT) following an active episode (ap > 15 nT). This leads to three independent data subsets. Comparisons between density distributions in the 3-D plasmasphere and trough regions at the three stages of quiet magnetosphere provide novel views about the distribution of matter inside the inner magnetosphere during several days of low activity. Clear signatures of a refilling process inside an expended plasmasphere in formation are noted. A plasmapause-like boundary, at L ~ 6 for all MLT sectors, is formed after 3 to 4 days and expends somewhat further after that. In the outer part of the plasmasphere (L ~ 8), latitudinal profiles of median density values vary essentially according to the MLT sector considered rather than according to the refilling duration. The shape of these density profiles indicates that magnetic flux tubes are not fully replenished after 6 days of quiet conditions. In addition, the outer plasmasphere in the night and dawn sectors (22:00 to 10:00 MLT range) maintains an overall clear deficit of ionospheric population, when compared to the situation in the noon and dusk sectors (10:00 to 22:00 MLT range).

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Section: Global Maps Of Density Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refilling process in the plasmasphere: a 3-D statistical characterization based on Cluster density observations

Lointier¹,

Darrouzet

Décréau³

et al. 2013

Ann. Geophys.

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“…In the three-dimensional dynamic model of the plasmasphere (Pierrard and Stegen, 2008) that has been recently coupled to the ionosphere (Pierrard and Voiculescu, 2011), the plasmapause depends on the MLT and on the Kp index observed during the last 24 h. During substorm and storm events, the geomagnetic activity increases and enhances the convection electric field, mainly in the postmidnight MLT sector. This leads to an inward motion of the plasmapause closer to the Earth in this sector and then later in other MLT sectors due to the corotation of the plasmapause with the Earth.…”

Section: Published By Copernicus Publications On Behalf Of the Europementioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between plasmapause, solar wind and geomagnetic activity between 2007 and 2011

Verbanac

Pierrard

Bandić³

et al. 2015

Ann. Geophys.

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Abstract. Taking advantage of the Cluster satellite mission and especially the observations made by the instrument WHISPER to deduce the electron number density along the orbit of the satellites, we studied the relationships between the plasmapause positions (L PP ) and the following L PP indicators: (a) solar wind coupling functions B z (Z component of the interplanetary magnetic field vector, B, in GSM system), BV (related to the interplanetary electric field; B is the magnitude of the interplanetary magnetic field vector, V is solar wind velocity), and d mp /dt (which combines different physical processes responsible for the magnetospheric activity) and (b) geomagnetic indices Dst, Ap and AE. The analysis is performed separately for three magnetic local time (MLT) sectors (Sector1 -night sector (01:00-07:00 MLT); Sector2 -day sector (07:00-16:00 MLT); Sector3 -evening sector (16:00-01:00 MLT)) and for all MLTs taken together. All L PP indicators suggest the faster plasmapause response in the postmidnight sector. Delays in the plasmapause responses (hereafter time lags) are approximately 2-27 h, always increasing from Sector1 to Sector3. The obtained fits clearly resolve the MLT structures. The variability in the plasmapause is the largest for low values of L PP indicators, especially in Sector2. At low activity levels, L PP exhibits the largest values on the dayside (in Sector2) and the smallest on the postmidnight side (Sector1). Displacements towards larger values on the evening side (Sector3) and towards lower values on the dayside (Sector2) are identified for enhanced magnetic activity. Our results contribute to constraining the physical mechanisms involved in the plasmapause formation and to further study the still not well understood related issues.

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“…Even if we had, it would have been difficult to observe the effects of the eclipse since densities can only be measured along the spacecraft orbit. Instead, the three-dimensional coupled ionosphere-plasmasphere (3DPS) model (Pierrard & Stegen 2008;Pierrard & Voiculescu 2011) was used here to calculate the electron density profiles in both the ionosphere and the plasmasphere on 20 and 21 March 2015. The 3DPS model has been extensively tested and used on numerous occasions (see references above) proving it to be a reliable research tool.…”

Section: Observations During the Eclipsementioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-instrument observations of the solar eclipse on 20 March 2015 and its effects on the ionosphere over Belgium and Europe

Stankov

Bergeot

Berghmans

et al. 2017

J. Space Weather Space Clim.

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A total solar eclipse occurred on 20 March 2015, with a totality path passing mostly above the North Atlantic Ocean, which resulted in a partial solar eclipse over Belgium and large parts of Europe. In anticipation of this event, a dedicated observational campaign was set up at the Belgian Solar-Terrestrial Centre of Excellence (STCE). The objective was to perform high-quality observations of the eclipse and the associated effects on the geospace environment by utilising the advanced space-and ground-based instrumentation available to the STCE in order to further our understanding of these effects, particularly on the ionosphere. The study highlights the crucial importance of taking into account the eclipse geometry when analysing the ionospheric behaviour during eclipses and interpreting the eclipse effects. A detailed review of the eclipse geometry proves that considering the actual obscuration level and solar zenith angle at ionospheric heights is much more important for the analysis than at the commonly referenced Earth's surface or at the plasmaspheric heights. The eclipse occurred during the recovery phase of a strong geomagnetic storm which certainly had an impact on (some of) the ionospheric characteristics and perhaps caused the omission of some ''low-profile'' effects. However, the analysis of the ionosonde measurements, carried out at unprecedented high rates during the eclipse, suggests the occurrence of travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). Also, the high temporal and spatial resolution measurements proved very important in revealing and estimating some finer details of the delay in the ionospheric reaction and the ionospheric disturbances.

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A three‐dimensional dynamic kinetic model of the plasmasphere

Cited by 62 publications

References 40 publications

Refilling process in the plasmasphere: a 3-D statistical characterization based on Cluster density observations

Refilling process in the plasmasphere: a 3-D statistical characterization based on Cluster density observations

The relationship between plasmapause, solar wind and geomagnetic activity between 2007 and 2011

Multi-instrument observations of the solar eclipse on 20 March 2015 and its effects on the ionosphere over Belgium and Europe

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