Abstract
Heating caused by an asymmetry in the main-phase ring current belt is examined. The heating mechanism is the joule dissipation of the ionospheric current system associated with the asymmetry. The energy dissipated in the ionosphere, coming from the particle energy contained in the asymmetry, is at a maximum during the main and early recovery phases of a geomagnetic storm. This heating should have a local-time dependence that produces maximum heating near 1800 hours local time. The consequences of a flute (or interchange) instability in the main-phase ring current plasma are also discussed, with particular attention given to the joule heating of the stabilizing currents that flow in the ionosphere. It is concluded that this heating mechanism could deposit enough heat into the ionosphere during a magnetic storm to compete with the normal solar ultraviolet heat input and thus contribute to storm-correlated increases in satellite drag.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call