Abstract
The development of the ring current through a westward circulation of energetic ions around the Earth in the low latitude region during geomagnetic storms has been known to us for the past several decades. The symmetric part of the ring current exists in the form of a ring around the Earth at a distance of ≈3–7Re from the center of the Earth. The location and strength of the ring current is mainly controlled by the interplanetary solar wind conditions. The presence of such external current forms the additional mini magnetic dipole in the vicinity of the Earth’s space, which eventually affects the geomagnetic field configuration. The magnetic field produced due to the ring current opposes the geomagnetic field inside and adds to the geomagnetic field outside the location of the ring current. This scenario has been modelled in this paper by using a circular loop of uniform current around the Earth to represent the ring current flow around the Earth. The aim of the present study is to understand the overall changes in the magnetic field and its influence on the radiation belt energetic (MeV range) electrons and protons during a geomagnetic storm. The model calculations suggest the formation of low and high magnetic field regions (here referred to as dent and hump) in the Earth’s magnetosphere due to intense westward ring current. The size and position of these low and high magnetic field regions are controlled by the strength and location of the ring current. It is found that both the altitudinal reach and mirror point of the bouncing-drifting radiation belt energetic particles are significantly affected by the presence of the dent and the hump in the magnetic field driven by the ring current. The decrease in ground magnetic field of 1700 nT or more, which is similar to the geomagnetic field variation observed during the historic Carrington event, is possible with the peak ring current strength of 20–30 MA situated at a distance of 2Re or less from the center of the Earth.
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
