Case study of the large-scale response of the magnetosphere to a southward turning of the IMF

The effects of the March 4, 1979 southward turn of the IMF on the earth magnetosphere are characterized on the basis of spacecraft (ISEE 1-3, IMP-8, and GEOS), balloon-borne, and ground-based magnetometer and solar-wind measurements. The data are presented in extensive graphs and discussed in detail. Some evidence indicating that the substorm derived energy directly from the solar wind (as predicted by the driven-substorm model of Akasofu, 1975 and 1980) is found, but the main substorm events are shown to be independent of the solar-wind IMF changes and tentatively attributed to the dissipation of energy stored in the magnetosphere. 24 references