Abstract
Abstract. The sequence of phenomena consisting of solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), auroral substorms, and geomagnetic storms is mostly a manifestation of electromagnetic energy dissipation. Thus, first of all, it is natural to consider each of them in terms of a sequence of power supply (dynamo), power transmission (electric currents/circuits), and dissipation (mostly observed phenomena), i.e., as an input–output process and the electric current line approach. Secondly, extending this concept, it is attempted in this paper to consider the whole solar–terrestrial relationship in terms of electric currents. This approach enables us to follow through not only the sequence in solar flares, auroral substorms, and geomagnetic storms but also to connect all phenomena naturally as a continuous flow of magnetic energy (V[B2∕8π]) from the sun across the magnetopause. This consideration gives some insight into all the processes involved equally well compared with the magnetic field line approach, which has been adopted almost exclusively in the past.
Highlights
In as early as 1967, Alfvén (1967) noted the following: “In some application we can illustrate essential properties of the electromagnetic state of space either by depicting the magnetic field lines or by depicting the electric current lines
In terms of the current line approach, magnetospheric processes associated with auroral substorms can be described as a combination of the following: the Chapman–Ferraro current, the solar wind–magnetosphere dynamo, the directly driven (DD) current system, the unloading component (UL) current, and the ring current as a result of loading/unloading of magnetic energy in the main body of the magnetosphere
The major difference between geomagnetic storms and auroral substorms is an anomalous development of the ring current, which is produced by a frequent occurrence of intense substorms in about 6–12 h (Akasofu and Chapman, 1963)
Summary
In as early as 1967, Alfvén (1967) noted the following: “In some application we can illustrate essential properties of the electromagnetic state of space either by depicting the magnetic field lines or by depicting the electric current lines. Alfvén (1977) emphasized the following: “ in order to understand the properties of a current-carrying plasma, we must take account of the properties of the whole circuit in which the current flows” His point is that it is necessary to consider the whole sequence (dynamo, transmission, and dissipation) as an input–output process. The current line approach can follow quantitatively the flow of the power/energy (physical quantities) as a continuous process through the whole sun–earth system and can link the resulting phenomena. For this reason, it is worthwhile to consider the sequence of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, auroral substorms, and geomagnetic storms in terms of the electric current approach
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