Dynamo action in the ionosphere and motions of the magnetospheric plasma I. Symmetric dynamo action

In order to envisage the circulation pattern of the magnetospheric plasma produced by the dynamo action in the ionosphere, the distribution of the dynamo-induced electrostatic field resulting from basic ionospheric wind systems is studied. It is then shown by use of Maeda's field distribution that there exists a remarkable large-scale circulation of the magnetospheric plasma, inward (earthward) on the evening side of the magnetosphere and outward on the morning side. This motion is comparable to the motion produced by the Earth's rotation and by zonal winds in the ionosphere. It is shown also that the electrostatic field can cause a considerable radial motion of some of the energetic particles in the radiation belt.