The Earth's ring current: Causes,generation, and decay |
| |
Authors: | D J Williams |
| |
Institution: | 1. Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Rd., 20707, Laurel, MD, U.S.A.
|
| |
Abstract: | The development of currents due to arbitrary distributions of trapped particles in the geomagnetic field is described. These currents form the Earth's ring current and are responsible for world wide decreases of the surface magnetic field observed during magnetic storms. It is shown that we do not yet know the relative abundances of the ions forming the ring current. Because of this we do not understand how various sources mix to produce the ring current. Several possible generation mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the decay of the ring current is discussed and is shown to be due primarily to charge exchange with important secondary effects attributable to wave-particle interactions. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|