Publication Date:
2011-08-16
Description:
Additional studies of the ion composition results obtained from the OGO-6 satellite support earlier observations of irregularities in the distribution of H(+) and He(+) within the light ion trough near L = 4, which has been associated with the plasmapause. These irregularities are in the form of sub-troughs superimposed upon the major midlatitude decrease of the light ions. In the sub-troughs, ionization depletions and recoveries of as much as an order of magnitude are observed within a few degrees of latitude, usually exhibited in a pattern which changes significantly with longitude as the earth rotates beneath the relatively fixed satellite orbit. The location and properties exhibited by these sub-troughs appear to be consistent with the concept of a plasmasphere distortion in the form of 'plasmatails' resulting from the combined effects of magnetospheric convection plus corotation.
Keywords:
GEOPHYSICS
Format:
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