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Magnetic Signatures of Ionospheric and Magnetospheric Current Systems During Geomagnetic Quiet Conditions—An Overview

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Abstract

High-precision magnetic measurements taken by LEO satellites (flying at altitudes between 300 and 800 km) allow for studying the ionospheric and magnetospheric processes and electric currents that causes only weak magnetic signature of a few nanotesla during geomagnetic quiet conditions. Of particular importance for this endeavour are multipoint observations in space, such as provided by the Swarm satellite constellation mission, in order to better characterize the space-time-structure of the current systems.

Focusing on geomagnetic quiet conditions, we provide an overview of ionospheric and magnetospheric sources and illustrate their magnetic signatures with Swarm satellite observations.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to the International Space Science Institute Bern for giving us the possibility to take part in the Workshop on “Earth’s Magnetic Field” held in Bern in May 2015, and to Karl Magnus Laundal for providing us with data used to prepare Sect. 4.

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  1. DTU Space, Technical University Denmark, Diplomvej 371, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

    Nils Olsen

  2. GFZ Potsdam, Telegrafenberg, 14471, Potsdam, Germany

    Claudia Stolle

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  1. Nils Olsen
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Olsen, N., Stolle, C. Magnetic Signatures of Ionospheric and Magnetospheric Current Systems During Geomagnetic Quiet Conditions—An Overview. Space Sci Rev 206, 5–25 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-016-0279-7

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