I m a g e r f o r M a g n e t o p a u s e - t o - A u r o r a G l o b a l E x p l o r a t i o n
IMAGE Uncovers New Evidence for the Shrinking of the Plasmasphere
Very few things
in Nature stay the same for long periods of time. IMAGE scientists have now confirmed
that the plasmasphere also follows this unspoken rule of nature. It apparently shrinks
and grows as the convection of the plasma changes in time. Although scientists have known
about this variability for many years, IMAGE data now confirm that this actually does happen,
and adds new details to how the phenomenon unfolds in time.
(2001: Sandel, B R., Forrester, W.T., and King, R. A)
Plasmasphere - An extension of the ionosphere
into space containing charged particles trapped in Earth's magnetic field. The particles
have energies of a few hundred Volts, and extend 10,000 kilometers into space.
Plasmapause - The boundary of the plasmasphere.
Inside this boundary, plasma rotates with Earth. Outside, the plasma orbits Earth at slower speeds.
