Dayside open field line region boundary at high altitudes

Abstract

The Polar satellite with its high apogee and high latitude orbit offers a unique opportunity to chart the dayside open/closed field line boundary (OCB). The data from energetic particle and plasma measurements are examined to obtain the position of the OCB for a range of IMF and magnetic disturbance conditions. The Polar observations were taken within two hours of local noon in the spring and fall 1996 and spring 1997. These data were examined for evidence of IMF and solar wind control of the OCB. Some evidence of control was observed in the Polar data. However, the OCB position was found to depend more strongly on the magnetic activity levels than on IMF Bz and solar wind pressure, for example. Examination of the invariant (Λ) and magnetic (λ) latitude of OCB for Bz < 1 gave better results than using the whole data set. For Bz < 1 the OCB Λ ∼ 78.9 + 0.38 Bz and examination of the VBz dependence gave Λ ∼ 78.9 + 1.023 VBz. The comparison with Kp gave Λ ∼ 80.2 − 0.88 Kp. These dependencies are similar to those previously observed for the auroral zone boundaries.

Department

Physics

Publication Date

12-31-1999

Journal Title

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part C: Solar, Terrestrial & Planetary Science

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/S1464-1917(98)00019-1

Document Type

Article

Rights

Copyright © 1999, Elsevier

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