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Vickrey et al. 1986
Vickrey, J.F., Livingston, R.C., Walker, N.B., Potemra, T.A., Heelis, R.A., Kelley, M.C. and Rich, F.J. (1986). On the current-voltage relationship of the magnetospheric generator at intermediate spatial scales. Geophysical Research Letters 13: doi: 10.1029/GL013i006p00495. issn: 0094-8276.

Using data from the drift meter and magnetometer on board the HILAT satellite, we have examined fluctuations in high latitude electric and magnetic fields at scale sizes between 80 km and 3 km. A comparison of data from summer and winter allows us to assess the impact of changing ionospheric conductivity on the magnetospheric generator. We find that, at these scale sizes, the magnetosphere tends to behave as a constant current source that is independent of ionospheric conductivity. This characteristic was noted on both open and closed field lines. The electric field pattern, on the other hand, is much more highly structured in the winter than in the summer. This behavior implies scale size dependent potential drops on closed field lines.

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Geophysical Research Letters
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American Geophysical Union
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