Plasmasphere
Encyclopedia
The plasmasphere, or inner magnetosphere
, is a region of the Earth's magnetosphere consisting of low energy (cool) plasma
. It is located above the ionosphere
. The outer boundary of the plasmasphere is known as the plasmapause, which is defined by an order of magnitude drop in plasma density.
The plasmasphere was discovered in 1963 by Don Carpenter
from the analysis of VLF whistler wave data.
Traditionally, the plasmasphere has been regarded as a well behaved cold plasma with particle motion dominated entirely by the geomagnetic field and hence corotating with the Earth. In contrast, recent satellite
observations have shown that density irregularities such as plumes or biteouts may form. It has also been shown that the plasmasphere does not always co-rotate with the Earth.
Magnetosphere
A magnetosphere is formed when a stream of charged particles, such as the solar wind, interacts with and is deflected by the intrinsic magnetic field of a planet or similar body. Earth is surrounded by a magnetosphere, as are the other planets with intrinsic magnetic fields: Mercury, Jupiter,...
, is a region of the Earth's magnetosphere consisting of low energy (cool) plasma
Plasma (physics)
In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. Heating a gas may ionize its molecules or atoms , thus turning it into a plasma, which contains charged particles: positive ions and negative electrons or ions...
. It is located above the ionosphere
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is a part of the upper atmosphere, comprising portions of the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere...
. The outer boundary of the plasmasphere is known as the plasmapause, which is defined by an order of magnitude drop in plasma density.
The plasmasphere was discovered in 1963 by Don Carpenter
Don Carpenter (electrical engineer)
Donald L. Carpenter is a Space Scientist, Professor Emeritus in the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University. Known as co discoverer of the “knee,” or sharp dropoff in the radial profile of the dense plasma cloud that surrounds the Earth to typical equatorial distances of several...
from the analysis of VLF whistler wave data.
Traditionally, the plasmasphere has been regarded as a well behaved cold plasma with particle motion dominated entirely by the geomagnetic field and hence corotating with the Earth. In contrast, recent satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
observations have shown that density irregularities such as plumes or biteouts may form. It has also been shown that the plasmasphere does not always co-rotate with the Earth.