白克兰电流是沿着地球磁场的磁力线分布的。由于地球磁场在大尺度上是稳定可预测的,如果知道了白克兰电流在某一高度的强度分布,也就能推算出其在三维空间的强度分布。因此,Iijima and Potemra用白克兰电流电流在电流层高度(比如110km高度)的投影来概况其空间分布[12]。在电流层高度上,白克兰电流呈现出环状结构。该电流分布对太阳风扰动非常敏感[13]。在扰动强烈的情况下,该电流分布可以在10分钟内在子午向变化10°纬度。该子午向变化对太阳风的响应呈现出延时,在正午时段大概花费20分钟,而在子夜附近需要花费70到90分钟[14]。
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期刊
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