Topology of High-Latitude Magnetospheric Currents

Abstract

The structure and localization of high latitude transverse and field-aligned currents are analyzed using the data from the Themis satellite mission. A number of evidences resumed in this paper, including daytime compression of magnetic field lines and the existence of magnetic field minima far from the equatorial plane make necessary to reanalyze the traditional points of view about the topology of high-latitude magnetospheric currents. Comparison between the dayside integral transverse currents at the geocentric distances 7–10R E , calculated assuming the validity of the condition of magnetostatic equilibrium and the nighttime transverse currents, showed that ordinary ring current has the high latitude continuation until geocentric distances ∼10–13R E . The problem of the location of Region 1 field-aligned current of Iijima and Potemra is discussed.