Abstract

This paper provides a brief review of the understanding of the coupled solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere system that can be attained from observations of the size of the ionospheric polar caps from space and the ground. These measurements allow the occurrence and rate of dayside and nightside reconnection to be deduced. The former can be correlated with upstream interplanetary magnetic field observations to give an estimate of the effective length of the dayside reconnection X-line. The latter allows a preliminary statistical study of flux closure during substorms and other, smaller nightside reconnection events.

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

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.