The behaviour of the geomagnetic pulsations near the boundary of the plasmasphere

Abstract

Based on the observational data obtained at eleven stations along a geomagnetic meridian ( Φm = 45–63°), the characteristics of pc 3, 4 pulsations are investigated. It has been shown that pc 3, 4 pulsations possess two amplitude maxima: one in the high latitudes and the other in middle latitudes. Consequently, the amplitude minimum between the two maxima is observed in subauroral latitudes ( Φm ≈ 60°). Examining the peculiarities of the polarization behaviour of pc 3, 4 pulsations along the meridian array, two different regions, where the pulsations are generated, are noticed. One is situated in the middle latitudes of about 55–60°, and the other in the auroral area of about 65–70° in geomagnetic latitude. The former region corresponds to a projection of an area inside the plasmapause and the latter of an area of the outer radiation belt in the magnetosphere. The dependence of the pc 3, 4 periods on the position of the plasmapause is clarified. It is also shown that both the position of the pc 3 amplitude maximum in the middle latitudes and the position of pc 4 minimum in the subauroral area shift according to the variation in the magnetic activity and the position of plasmapause. The dynamic spectra of the simultaneous wave-packets of Pc-pulsations are investigated along the meridional profile. The maximum time delay of the Pc-signals is found at a latitude of about 57°, corresponding to the region of low values of Alfvén velocity inside the plasmasphere. On the other hand, a sharp decrease in the time delay is observed at a latitude of about 60°, the region of the rapid increase of Alfvén velocity at the plasmaspheric boundary in the magnetosphere.