plasmasfæren

The plasmasphere is a torus-shaped region of cold, dense plasma that surrounds the Earth, extending outwards from the top of the ionosphere. It is a component of the Earth's magnetosphere, the region of space dominated by the Earth's magnetic field. The plasma within the plasmasphere consists primarily of ions and electrons, with densities typically ranging from tens to hundreds of particles per cubic centimeter.

The inner boundary of the plasmasphere is the ionosphere, where the plasma is created by solar radiation ionizing the Earth's atmosphere. The outer boundary is generally defined by the plasmapause, which is a sharp drop in plasma density. The location of the plasmapause varies significantly with geomagnetic activity, moving closer to Earth during periods of high solar wind pressure or geomagnetic storms.

The plasmasphere plays a crucial role in the dynamics of the magnetosphere. It acts as a source of plasma for the outer magnetosphere and can influence the propagation of radio waves. Energetic particles trapped within the magnetosphere can interact with the plasma in the plasmasphere, leading to phenomena such as auroras. The shape and extent of the plasmasphere are constantly changing in response to solar wind conditions and the Earth's rotation. Understanding the plasmasphere is essential for comprehending space weather and its potential impacts on technology and human activities.