The electrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics of geospace

• Main Author: M.J. Rycroft
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: British Antarctic Survey (NERC) 1987
• Subjects: Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research; Polar Research
• Online Access: https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=2185; http://id.nii.ac.jp/1291/00002185/; https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=2185&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1

The rationale for undertaking research on geospace is first reviewed. Overlooking time-dependent aspects of the problem, attention is concentrated on the steady state, magnetohydrodynamic interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere, and on the macroscopic treatment of ionospheric convection over the polar cap. The law of the conservation of magnetic flux out of the southern polar cap into the interplanetary medium is applied, as it is for the flux into the northern polar cap from interplanetary space above the ecliptic plane. Some recent radar results are mentioned, and some suggestions made for further experimental research, both in space and from the ground in the polar regions.