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Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN015A-716 August 2, 2001 14:57
Space Plasma Physics
Larry Lyons
University of California, Los Angeles
I. Introduction
II. Basic Concepts
III. Solar Wind and ary ic Field
IV. Solar Wind and ary Field Interactions
with the ic Field
V. Particle Access to, and Transport within,
the osphere
VI. Auroras and Auroral Currents
VII. ic Disturbances
VIII. Conclusions
GLOSSARY sun that is carried throughout ary space by
the solar wind.
Aurora Emissions from the upper atmosphere by con- Ionosphere Region of enhanced ionization that sur-
stituents that have been excited by the impact of ener- rounds the earth at altitudes between
75 and 500 km
getic particles from the osphere. altitude.
Auroral oval The prime region of visible auroral emis- opause Current layer that to a large extent sep-
sions, which consists of approximately circular zones arates the ary ic field from the geo-
surrounding each ic pole that are a few de- ic field.
grees in latitude wide and centered near 70
geomag- osphere Region of space within the magne-
netic latitude. topause that is dominated by the ic field.
Convection Flow of plasma throughout the o- Plasma An ionized gas in which electric forces main-
sphere that is driven by the solar wind. tain approximate charge neutrality (the excess of neg-
ic latitude Latitude based on the earth’s mag- atively or positively charged particles is everywhere
netic axis. much smaller than the total ion density).
Gyroradius Radius of the circular motion of charged par- Plasma sheet Energetic plasma region that occupies the
ticles about a ic field. outer portions of the osphere.
ary ic field ic field from the Precipitation Loss of ospheric particles to the
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P1: GLQ/GLE P2: FQP Final Pages
Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN015A-716 August 2, 2001 14:57
578 Space Plasma Physics
atmosphere by