An examination of the structure and dynamics of the outer plasmasphere using multiple geosynchronous satellites

Moldwin, M. B.; Thomsen, M. F.; Bame, S. J.; McComas, D. J.; Moore, K. R.

doi:10.1029/93ja03526

Cited by 82 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…ap < 5 nT) (Darrouzet et al, 2008). Two or three days of refilling are typically required for plasma density to reach high values at geosynchronous orbit and beyond, but this time interval is not sufficient for diffusive equilibrium with the ionosphere to be established (Moldwin et al, 1994;Spasojević et al, 2003). In contrast, Reinisch et al (2004) reported a significant filling in less than 28 h at lower altitudes R = 2.5 R E .…”

Section: G Lointier Et Al: Refilling Process In the Plasmaspherementioning

confidence: 97%

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: G Lointier Et Al: Refilling Process In the Plasmaspherementioning

confidence: 97%

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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“…et al, 1970; Hige! and Lei, 1984; Moldwin et al, 1994]. These encounters usually last for about 1 -2 hours.…”

Section: Plasmaspheric Dynamics Through the CX Storm •mentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetospheric dynamics and mass flow during the November 1993 storm

et al. 1998

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Abstract. The National Space Weather Program (NSWP) Storm that occurred inNovember 1993 is examined with the use of plasma and energetic-particle measurements on three satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Geosynchronous orbit affords a powerful perspective on magnetospheric dynamics since both tail and dipole processes can be regularly seen, as well as nightside and dayside processes. The major magnetospheric regions analyzed before, during, and after this storm are the outer plasmasphere, the ion plasma sheet, the electron plasma sheet, and the outer electron radiation belt. Ionospheric outflows into the magnetosphere are also observed, and during the storm the magnetosheath and the low-latitude boundary layer are both seen briefly. The geosynchronous observations indicate that prior to the storm the magnetosphere was very quiet and the outer plasmasphere was filled out to beyond geosynchronous orbit. Extremely large anisotropies were seen in the ion plasma sheet during a compression phase just prior to storm onset.During the storm's main phase the drainage of the outer plasmasphere to the dayside magnetopause was observed, a superdense ion plasma sheet was tracked moving around the dipole, and a superdense electron plasma sheet was seen. The anomalously large plasma pressure on the nightside led to a • • 1 situation at geosynchronous orbit. The • • 1 region spread around the dipole with the superdense ion plasma sheet. The magnetic-field tilt angle at geosynchronous orbit indicated that strong cross-tail currents were present very near the Earth. These currents appear to be associated with plasma diamagnetism. Geosynchronous observations indicate that magnetospheric convection was extremely strong. In the electron plasma sheet, severe spacecraft charging occurred. The density of relativistic electrons was observed to peak very early in the storm, whereas the flux of these relativistic electrons peaked much later in the aftermath of the storm.

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“…They are often long-lived, being observed for days at geosynchronous orbit (e.g., Borovsky et al, 2014), are usually narrow in longitude and appear at all longitudes/MLT (e.g., Moldwin et al, 1994), can have significant structure (e.g., Moldwin et al, 1994Moldwin et al, , 1995Darrouzet, et al, 2008;Sibanda et al, 2012), and can exist at any level of geomagnetic activity -though they are primarily associated with enhancements in activity (though not necessarily storms) (Moldwin et al, 2004). Figure 3 shows the occurrence of plumes observed by CRRES as a function of the Kp index compared to the distribution of Kp observed during the CRRES mission lifetime.…”

Section: Plasmaspheric Plumementioning

confidence: 99%

The story of plumes: the development of a new conceptual framework for understanding magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling

2016

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Abstract. The name "plume" has been given to a variety of plasma structures in the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. Some plumes (such as the plasmasphere plume) represent elevated plasma density, while other plumes (such as the equatorial F region plume) represent low-density regions. Despite these differences these structures are either directly related or connected in the causal chain of plasma redistribution throughout the system. This short review defines how plumes appear in different measurements in different regions and describes how plumes can be used to understand magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. The story of the plume family helps describe the emerging conceptual framework of the flow of high-density-low-latitude ionospheric plasma into the magnetosphere and clearly shows that strong two-way coupling between ionospheric and magnetospheric dynamics occurs not only in the high-latitude auroral zone and polar cap but also through the plasmasphere. The paper briefly reviews, highlights and synthesizes previous studies that have contributed to this new understanding.

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An examination of the structure and dynamics of the outer plasmasphere using multiple geosynchronous satellites

Cited by 82 publications

References 27 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

Magnetospheric dynamics and mass flow during the November 1993 storm

The story of plumes: the development of a new conceptual framework for understanding magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling

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