Ring current: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description| | {{Short description|Magnetospheric phenomenon}} | ||
{{About|an atmospheric effect|the effect in nuclear magnetic resonance|Aromatic ring current}} | {{About|an atmospheric effect|the effect in nuclear magnetic resonance|Aromatic ring current}} | ||
A '''ring current''' is an [[electric current]] carried by charged particles trapped in a planet's [[magnetosphere]]. It is caused by the longitudinal drift of energetic (10–200 k[[electron volt|eV]]) particles. | A '''ring current''' is an [[electric current]] carried by charged particles trapped in a planet's [[magnetosphere]]. It is caused by the longitudinal drift of energetic (10–200 k[[electron volt|eV]]) particles. | ||
==Earth | ==Earth== | ||
[[File:Currents.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Schematic view of the different current systems which shape the Earth's [[magnetosphere]].]] | [[File:Currents.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Schematic view of the different current systems which shape the Earth's [[magnetosphere]].]] | ||
[[Earth]]'s ring current is responsible for shielding the lower latitudes of the Earth from magnetospheric electric fields. It therefore has a large effect on the electrodynamics of [[geomagnetic storm]]s. The ring current system consists of a band, at a distance of 3 to 8 [[Earth radius|''R''<sub>E</sub>]],<ref>{{cite journal|author=I. A. Daglis |author2=R. M. Thorne |author3=W. Baumjohann |author4=S. Orsini |name-list-style=amp |title=The terrestrial ring current: Origin, formation, and decay |date=November 1999 |journal=Reviews of Geophysics |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=407–438 |doi=10.1029/1999RG900009 |bibcode=1999RvGeo..37..407D|doi-access=free }}</ref> which lies in the [[celestial sphere|equatorial plane]] and circulates clockwise around the Earth (when viewed from the north). The particles of this region produce a magnetic field in opposition to the [[Earth's magnetic field]] and so an Earthly observer would observe a decrease in the [[magnetic field]] in this area.<ref name="Merrill2010">{{cite book|author=Ronald T. Merrill|title=Our Magnetic Earth: The Science of Geomagnetism|date=15 November 2010|publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]]|isbn=978-0-226-52050-6}}</ref>{{rp|135}} The negative deflection of the Earth's magnetic field due to the ring current is measured by the [[Dst index]]. | [[Earth]]'s ring current is responsible for shielding the lower latitudes of the Earth from magnetospheric electric fields. It therefore has a large effect on the electrodynamics of [[geomagnetic storm]]s. The ring current system consists of a band, at a distance of 3 to 8 [[Earth radius|''R''<sub>E</sub>]],<ref>{{cite journal|author=I. A. Daglis |author2=R. M. Thorne |author3=W. Baumjohann |author4=S. Orsini |name-list-style=amp |title=The terrestrial ring current: Origin, formation, and decay |date=November 1999 |journal=Reviews of Geophysics |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=407–438 |doi=10.1029/1999RG900009 |bibcode=1999RvGeo..37..407D|doi-access=free }}</ref> which lies in the [[celestial sphere|equatorial plane]] and circulates clockwise around the Earth (when viewed from the north). The particles of this region produce a magnetic field in opposition to the [[Earth's magnetic field]] and so an Earthly observer would observe a decrease in the [[magnetic field]] in this area.<ref name="Merrill2010">{{cite book|author=Ronald T. Merrill|title=Our Magnetic Earth: The Science of Geomagnetism|date=15 November 2010|publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]]|isbn=978-0-226-52050-6}}</ref>{{rp|135}} The negative deflection of the Earth's magnetic field due to the ring current is measured by the [[Dst index]]. | ||
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The ring current energy is mainly carried around by the ions, most of which are protons. However, one also sees alpha particles in the ring current, a type of ion that is plentiful in the solar wind. In addition, a certain percentage are O<sup>+</sup> oxygen ions, similar to those in the ionosphere of Earth, though much more energetic. This mixture of ions suggests that ring current particles probably come from more than one source.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} | The ring current energy is mainly carried around by the ions, most of which are protons. However, one also sees alpha particles in the ring current, a type of ion that is plentiful in the solar wind. In addition, a certain percentage are O<sup>+</sup> oxygen ions, similar to those in the ionosphere of Earth, though much more energetic. This mixture of ions suggests that ring current particles probably come from more than one source.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} | ||
== | ==Geomagnetic storms== | ||
During a [[geomagnetic storm]], the number of particles in the ring current will increase. As a result, there is a decrease in the effects of [[Earth's magnetic field|geomagnetic field]]. | During a [[geomagnetic storm]], the number of particles in the ring current will increase. As a result, there is a decrease in the effects of [[Earth's magnetic field|geomagnetic field]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 21:01, 2 June 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". A ring current is an electric current carried by charged particles trapped in a planet's magnetosphere. It is caused by the longitudinal drift of energetic (10–200 keV) particles.
Earth
Earth's ring current is responsible for shielding the lower latitudes of the Earth from magnetospheric electric fields. It therefore has a large effect on the electrodynamics of geomagnetic storms. The ring current system consists of a band, at a distance of 3 to 8 RE,[1] which lies in the equatorial plane and circulates clockwise around the Earth (when viewed from the north). The particles of this region produce a magnetic field in opposition to the Earth's magnetic field and so an Earthly observer would observe a decrease in the magnetic field in this area.[2]Template:Rp The negative deflection of the Earth's magnetic field due to the ring current is measured by the Dst index.
The ring current energy is mainly carried around by the ions, most of which are protons. However, one also sees alpha particles in the ring current, a type of ion that is plentiful in the solar wind. In addition, a certain percentage are O+ oxygen ions, similar to those in the ionosphere of Earth, though much more energetic. This mixture of ions suggests that ring current particles probably come from more than one source.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Geomagnetic storms
During a geomagnetic storm, the number of particles in the ring current will increase. As a result, there is a decrease in the effects of geomagnetic field.
See also
References
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