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Detailed Reference Information |
Blomberg, L.G. and Marklund, G.T. (1991). High-lattitude convection patterns for various large-scale field-aligned current configurations. Geophysical Research Letters 18: doi: 10.1029/91GL00125. issn: 0094-8276. |
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The large-scale field-aligned current system for persistent northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is typically different from that for persistent southward IMF. One characteristic difference is that for northward IMF there is often a large-scale field-aligned current system poleward of the main auroral oval. This current system (the NBZ current) typically occupies a large fraction of the region poleward of the region 1 and 2 currents. The present paper models the high-latitude convection as a function of the large-scale field-aligned currents. In particular, a possible evolution of the convection pattern as the current system changes from a typical configuration for southward IMF to a configuration representing northward IMF (or vice versa) is presented. Depending on additional assumptions, for example about the y-component of the IMF, the convection pattern could either turn directly from a two-cell type to a four-cell type, or a three-cell type pattern could show up as an intermediate state. An interesting although rather surprising result of this study is that different ways of balancing the NBZ currents has a minor influence on the large-scale convection pattern. ¿American Geophysical Union 1991 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Ionosphere, Electric fields and currents, Ionosphere, Ionosphere-atmosphere interactions, Ionosphere, Plasma convection, Ionosphere, Polar ionosphere |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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