Solar wind control of the open magnetosphere: Comparison of GGS/polar images and theory
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This investigation explores the connection between the open polar cap magnetic flux phiPCF and interplanetary conditions. phi PCF is determined from GGS/Polar VIS Earth Camera far ultraviolet observations of the aurora borealis. Observations from the GGS/Wind SWE and MFI instruments are used to characterize the interplanetary conditions. Additional observations from the IMP-8 PLA and MAG instruments are used to evaluate solar wind propagation time delay estimation methods so that the GGS/Wind observations can be better associated with the GGS/Polar observations. This allows the GGS/Wind observations to be used to estimate the polar cap potential &phis;PCP values associated with the GGS/Polar phiPCF values. Statistical methods are applied to determine a proxy relationship between &phis;PCP and phiPCF. The Rice Field Model (RFM) is modified to accept phi PCF as a configuration parameter, and RFM polar caps are produced using phi PCF determined both directly from the GGS/Polar images and by the proxy relationship from the GGS/Wind data. The RFM is able to produce polar caps with the same areas and open magnetic fluxes as the GGS/Polar observations, but the agreement in the polar cap shapes and locations leaves opportunities for further improvements.
Description
Advisor
Degree
Type
Keywords
Citation
Urquhart, Andrew Lee. "Solar wind control of the open magnetosphere: Comparison of GGS/polar images and theory." (2001) Diss., Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18041.