Open AccessSubstorm expansion onset mechanism debated
Author(s) -
Lui A. T. Y.,
Baumjohann W.,
Rostoker G.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/00eo00050
Subject(s) - magnetosphere , substorm , solar wind , geomagnetic storm , space weather , storm , physics , atmospheric sciences , geophysics , equator , meteorology , environmental science , magnetic field , latitude , astronomy , quantum mechanics
The Earth is a giant magnet bathed in the solar wind, a continuous and highly variable stream of hot ionized gas that blasts away from the Sun at supersonic speeds. The resulting interaction confines the Earths magnetic field largely to a comet‐shaped volume known as the magnetosphere. When the interaction is strong, the strength of the Earth's magnetic field at the equator can decrease by as much as 1%, marking the period of a magnetic storm that can last for many days. Within a magnetic storm period, intervals of transient activity also occur, with each lasting typically 1–3 hours. These active intervals also occur outside storm periods and are referred to as substorms. The forecasting of these disturbances storms and substorms is a major goal in space weather research.