Modeling of properties of the plasmasphere under quiet and disturbed conditions

Abstract

Based on theoretical models of the ionosphere and the plasmasphere, the ion composition variations in the plasmasphere and the plasmapause structure were studied depending on the choice of the distribution model of the magnetospheric convection electric field at low and high geomagnetic activity at the equinox and the December solstice. Based on the model calculations performed, the plasmapause shape and size during an increase and decrease in geomagnetic activity were studied. It was revealed that the size of the plasmasphere mainly depends on the magnetic local time (MLT) sector and the level of geomagnetic activity, and it greatly depends on the maximum universal time during the equinox. The Earth’s plasmasphere asymmetry is manifested in the noon-midnight and morning-evening directions. The analysis results of daily and seasonal variations in the ionic composition of the Earth’s plasmasphere at a moderate solar activity level show that there is a certain increase in the ion concentrations of H+ and He+ in the winter period probably due to an increase in the exospheric density at the summer to winter transition. The data obtained are in good agreement with satellite observations which makes it possible to use the model proposed to study the plasmasphere under different geophysical conditions.