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Generation of plasmaspheric undulations
Author(s) -
Buzulukova N.,
Fok M.C.,
Moore T. E.,
Ober D. M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl034164
Subject(s) - geology , plasmasphere , geophysics , geodesy , physics , magnetosphere , plasma , nuclear physics
We have modeled the plasmaspheric plume region using the Comprehensive Ring Current model (CRCM) and the Dynamical Global Core Plasma model (DGCPM), for an event that exhibited substantial undulations or ripples as observed by the IMAGE EUV imager during 17 April 2002. We drove the simulated electric field using the Weimer cross polar cap potential. We specified the magnetic field to vary in response to solar wind conditions according to the T96 model. As a control, we performed a run with a fixed magnetic field and a run with a low ring current pressure. The results show that particle injections into the inner magnetosphere and ring current–ionosphere–plasmasphere interaction are an essential part of the undulation response. We also conclude that the undulations are stronger in the case of magnetic field variations because associated induction electric field causes more pronounced injections.