EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Smith et al. 1981
Smith, A.J., Carpenter, D.L. and Lester, M. (1981). Longitudinal variations of plasmapause radius and the propagation of VLF noise within small (¿L~0.5) extensions of the plasmasphere. Geophysical Research Letters 8. doi: 10.1029/GL008i009p00980. issn: 0094-8276.

Simultaneous broadband whistler recordings made during the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) at the two Antarctic stations Halley and Siple have been used to study longitudinal variations in the radius of the plasma-pause observed during local afternoon. In both of the two periods studied thus far, whistler-derived equatorial electron density profiles imply an increase in plasmapause radius between the longitudes of Siple and Halley (Δϕ~30¿) of ΔL~0.5. Intense VLF noise (&agr;2.5 kHz) was observed at Halley but not at Siple, and by echo analysis its propagation path was identified with that of a whistler component travelling close to the plasmapause within the region of larger radius. This leads to the conclusion that the noise was generated by a gyroresonance instability when energetic electrons (typically 10 keV), drifting eastwards in the plasmatrough, encountered enhanced plasma density in the small extension of the plasmaphere.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
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
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit