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In situ observations of low-density regions inside the plasmasphere

Earth, Planets and Space volume 56, pages 989–996 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Thermal plasma measurements performed on MAGION 5 (subsatellite of INTERBALL 1) in the plasmasphere of the Earth are analyzed in conjunction with simultaneous solar wind data and ground-based ionospheric measurements in quiet geomagnetic conditions, during and after geomagnetic storms. In situ satellite observations reveal the existence of long-lived (2–3 days) depleted regions (MLT width ≳ 1.5–2 hours) in the plasmasphere that extend out from L ∼ 3. These observations well correspond to ‘notch’ or ‘bite-out’ regions found by the IMAGE spacecraft. Possible reasons for the formation of low-density regions are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia

    G. Kotova, V. Bezrukikh & M. Verigin

  2. Institute of Atmosphere Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

    J. Smilauer

Authors
  1. G. Kotova
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  2. V. Bezrukikh
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  3. M. Verigin
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  4. J. Smilauer
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Correspondence to G. Kotova.

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Kotova, G., Bezrukikh, V., Verigin, M. et al. In situ observations of low-density regions inside the plasmasphere. Earth Planet Sp 56, 989–996 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03351796

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