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Krisko, Paula Helene 2007-05-09T20:11:59Z 2007-05-09T20:11:59Z 1994 Krisko, Paula Helene. "An analytical relationship between the magnetospheric potential drop and the ionospheric conductance." (1994) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/16748">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/16748</a>. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/16748 THESIS SP. SCI. 1994 KRISKO In this thesis we derive an analytical relationship between the Earth's magnetospheric potential drop and the ionospheric conductance by adopting a simple two-dimensional model of a magnetic field draping around the tail magnetopause. Two methods are used: (1) matching currents through the tail magnetopause and the Earth's ionosphere in analogy with the Alfven wing at the Jovian satellite Io, (2) minimizing the total power that the solar wind loses to the Earth's magnetosphere. We find, in both cases, that the magnetospheric potential drop, $\Delta\phi\sb{\rm is}$, is inversely proportional to the ionospheric conductance, $\Sigma\sb{\rm is}$, and we compare this result to the revised result of the numerical model of Fedder and Lyon (1987) and to the conclusions of Hill et al. (1976) and Hill (1984). Considering the derived proportionality factor as a 'magnetosheath conductance', $\Sigma\sb{\rm msh}$, we determine that the high-latitude tail magnetospheric 'driver' acts as a current generator as opposed to a voltage generator. application/pdf eng Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder. Plasma physics An analytical relationship between the magnetospheric potential drop and the ionospheric conductance Thesis Text Space Science Natural Sciences Rice University Doctoral Doctor of Philosophy open.access