Charged dust in the Earth's magnetosphere |
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| Authors: | M Horanyi H L F Houpis D A Mendis |
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| Institution: | (1) Supercomputer Computational Research Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA;(2) Space Physics Laboratory, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA;(3) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA |
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| Abstract: | We have considered the electrodynamic effects on small Al2O3 spherules dumped into the Earth's magnetosphere in large quantities during solid rocket propellant burns. The charges acquired by these grains in all regions of the terrestrial environment (plasmasphere, magnetosphere, and solar wind) are modest. Consequently electrodynamic effects are significant only at the lower end of the dust size spectrum (R
g 0.1  m). In that case, the electrodynamic forces conspire with solar radiation pressure to eliminate the grains from the magnetosphere in a comparatively short time. Although not studied here in detail, we anticipate a similar fate for fine micrometeoroids entering the Earth's magnetosphere, with the electro-dynamic effects playing an even more important role.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 80th birthday, 30 May 1988. |
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