High-latitude field-aligned currents patterns in connection with magnetospheric structure

Distributions of field-aligned currents determined from surface geomagnetic field variations are projected to the magnetospheric tail and the equatorial cross sections of the magnetosphere, which makes it possible to relate the currents to characteristic magnetospheric regions. It is shown that the large-scale field-aligned currents are generated in various remote regions of the magnetosphere. In some of the regions, the currents are generated continuously and are probably due to the existence of large-scale convection (in the plasma sheet, above the low-altitude boundary layer, the region between the inner boundary of the plasma sheet and the plasmapause). In other regions, the generation of currents and their directions are due to the interactions of solar wind and IMF with the geomagnetic field (in the low-altitude boundary layer, the entry layer, the part of the mantle adjoining the magnetopause). A classification of the currents according to the region of their generation and condition in the interplanetary medium is proposed. 47 references