The transition to overshielding after sharp and gradual interplanetary magnetic field northward turning

Abstract

Overshielding is referred to a shielding status, during which the dawnward shielding electric field dominates over the duskward penetration electric field in the inner magnetosphere, typically appearing when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) suddenly turns northward after a prolonged southward orientation. It is expected that the transition to overshielding after IMF northward turning can be affected by the shape of northward turning (sharp or gradual). Moreover, the initial shielding status (undershielding or goodshielding) prior to the transition may also have influence on the transition. Here we analyze two groups of cases, in which the transitions appear after sharp (duration less than 5 min) and gradual (duration more than 30 min) northward turning. Each group includes two cases, in which the transition initiated from undershielding and goodshielding. These cases show that (1) the beginning of the transition to overshielding coincides with sharp IMF northward turning but appears in the midst of gradual IMF northward turning; (2) the transition from goodshielding to overshielding is always associated with convection electric field drop and/or polar cap shrinkage, regardless of the shape of IMF northward turning; and (3) the typical solar wind condition in which the IMF suddenly turns northward after a prolonged southward orientation is neither a necessary condition nor a sufficient condition for overshielding. Furthermore, we will discuss the effect of substorm processes on overshielding. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.