Title of article :
Controlling factors of Region 2 field-aligned current and its relationship to the ring current: Model results Original Research Article
Author/Authors :
Yihua Zheng، نويسنده , , Anthony T.Y. Lui، نويسنده , , Mei-Ching Fok، نويسنده , , Brian J. Anderson، نويسنده , , Pontus C. Brandt، نويسنده , , Donald G. Mitchell، نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
دوهفته نامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2008
Abstract :
One essential component of magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling is the closure of the ring current through Region 2 field-aligned current (FAC). Using the Comprehensive Ring Current Model (CRCM), which includes magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling by solving the kinetic equation of ring current particles and the closure of the electric currents between the two regions, we have investigated the effects of high latitude potential, ionospheric conductivity, plasma sheet density and different magnetic field models on the development of Region 2 field-aligned currents, and the relationship between R2 FACs and the ring current. It is shown that an increase in high latitude potential, ionospheric conductivity or plasma sheet density generally results in an increase in Region 2 FACs’ intensity, but R2 FACs display different local time and latitudinal distributions for changes in each parameter due to the different mechanisms involved. Our simulation results show that the magnetic field configuration of the inner magnetosphere is also an important factor in the development of Region 2 field-aligned current. More numerical experiments and observational results are needed in further our understanding of the complex relationship of the two current systems.
Keywords :
Region 2 field-aligned currents , The ring current , Magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling , The comprehensive ring current model
Journal title :
Advances in Space Research
Journal title :
Advances in Space Research