Observing the cold plasma in the Earth's magnetosphere with the EMMA network

Main Article Content

Alfredo Del Corpo
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9690-4965
Massimo Vellante
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4628-366X
Balázs Heilig
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9175-9255
Ermanno Pietropaolo
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6633-9846
Jan Reda
János Lichtenberger

Abstract

We illustrate a semi-automated procedure to detect the field line resonance (FLR) frequencies and the derived equatorial plasma mass densities in the inner magnetosphere from ULF measurements recorded at the European quasi-Meridional Magnetometer Array (EMMA). FLR frequencies are detected using the standard technique based on cross-phase and amplitude ratio spectra from pairs of stations latitudinally separated. Equatorial plasma mass densities are then inferred by solving the toroidal MHD wave equation using the TS05 Tsyganenko magnetic field model and assuming a 1/r dependence of the mass density along the field line. We also present a statistical analysis of the results obtained from 165 non-consecutive days of observations at 8 station pairs covering the range of magnetic L-shells 2.4-5.5 and encompassing a wide range of geomagnetic conditions. The rate of FLR detection maximizes around local noon at each pair of stations, reaching the highest values (~95%) around L = 3. A clear diurnal modulation of the FLR frequency is observed at all L values. At the lowest latitudes, the variation is characterized by a rapid decrease in the early morning hours, a stagnation in the middle of the day, and an increase in the evening hours. At higher latitudes, a continuous and more pronounced decrease of the FLR frequency is observed during all daytime hours reflecting a permanent state of recovery of flux tubes depleted by events of enhanced magnetospheric convection. Consistently, the radial profiles of the inferred equatorial mass density show a density increase from morning to afternoon which gets more pronounced with increasing distance and with the level of the preceding geomagnetic activity. The results also confirm the formation of the plasmapause at geocentric distances that decrease as the disturbance level increases. Mean mass density distributions in the equatorial plane are also shown in 2-D maps for different geomagnetic conditions, as well as for a representative stormy day.

Article Details

How to Cite
Del Corpo, A., Vellante, M., Heilig, B., Pietropaolo, E., Reda, J. and Lichtenberger, J. (2019) “Observing the cold plasma in the Earth’s magnetosphere with the EMMA network”, Annals of Geophysics, 62(4), p. GM447. doi: 10.4401/ag-7751.
Section
From the Sun to the Earth’s interior
Author Biographies

Alfredo Del Corpo, University of L'Aquila

Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Massimo Vellante, University of L'Aquila

Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Balázs Heilig, Mining and Geological Survey of Hungary

Tihany Geophysical Observatory

Ermanno Pietropaolo, University of L'Aquila

Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Jan Reda, Polish Academy of Sciences

Institute of Geophysics

János Lichtenberger, Eötvös Loránd University

Department of Geophysics and Space Sciences