Spatial distribution in the polar ionosphere of field-aligned currents density is studied by using data of the events on 20.11.03. Observable distributions are described in terms of three Regions of Iijima and Potemra, with taken into account in each Region of three types of spatial inhomogeneities. These inhomogeneitie were overlooked earlier. Dynamics of classical substorm current wedge SCW1, and the "current wedges" SCW2 and SCW3, both creating a polarization and amplification of the westward auroral electrojet, are described.

The 20.11.03 super-storm is described on the basis of the quantitative estimations of input and output parameters of the magnetospheric disturbance energetics. Two input parameters are ε'- Poynting flux from solar wind into the magnetosphere, and the polar cap potential drop Upc. The output parameters (indicators the magnetospheric responses) are the total power of the magnetospheric disturbance (Qt), and the powers consumed in the ionosphere (Qi) and in the ring current (Qdr). Different modes of the magnetosphere disturbances are shortly described: substorms, driven mode, Null Events by Lyons et. al., saturation of the ionosphere, and responses to a strong s. w. pressure pulses. The problem of the substorms-storm relationship is also addressed.

По данным наземных и спутниковых наблюдений рассматриваются квазипериодические изменения геомагнитного поля и параметров плазмы в диапазоне Pc 5 пульсаций, последовавшие сразу после взаимодействия межпланетной ударной волны (МУВ) с земной магнитосферой в событии 24.04.2009 в 00:53 UT. Пульсации были локализованы на широтах 66-74° в полуденном (11 MLT) и вечернем (20 MLT) секторах. Анализ годографов изменений геомагнитного поля как по спутниковым, так и наземным наблюдениям показал наличие вихревых возмущений. В данном событии фронт МУВ в межпланетной среде и фронт волны сжатия в магнитосфере имели наклон в плоскости ZGSM=0, угол наклона составлял 14° в межпланетной среде и 34° в магнитосфере. Положение вихревых возмущений в магнитосфере на разном радиальном расстоянии: X~5.5 Re в полуденном и X~-6.3÷-7.3 Re в вечернем секторе, согласуется с наклоном фронта. По спутниковым наблюдениям максимальная интенсивность волновых возмущений в обоих секторах регистрировалась в тороидальной компоненте, что соответствовало резонансному механизму возбуждения этих возмущений. Анализ распределения скоростей течения плазмы и распространения фронта волны сжатия в магнитосфере показал, что вихревые возмущения наблюдались в областях, где скорости течения плазмы и распространения фронта значительно различались по величине.
Quasi-periodic changes of the geomagnetic field and plasma parameters in the range of Pc 5 pulsations, which occurred immediately after the interaction of interplanetary shock (IPS) with Earth’s magnetosphere in the event of April 24, 2009 at 00:53 UT are examined using ground and satellite observations. The pulsations were localized at latitudes 66-74° in the noon (11 MLT) and evening (20 MLT) sectors. The analysis of hodographs of the geomagnetic field changes both from satellite and ground observations has shown the presence of vortical disturbances. In this event, both the IPS front in the interplanetary medium and the compression wave front in the magnetosphere had a slope in the ZGSM=0 plane; the inclination angle was 14° in the interplanetary medium and 34° in the magnetosphere. The location of the vortical disturbances in the magnetosphere at different radial distances, i.e. X ~5.5 Re in the noon sector and X ~-6.3 ÷-7.3 Re in the evening sector, is in agreement with the front inclination. As inferred from satellite observations, the maximum intensity of wave disturbances in both the sectors was registered in the toroidal component of the magnetic field. This suggests the resonant mechanism of excitation of these disturbances. The analysis of distribution of velocities of plasma flow and compression wave front propagation in the magnetosphere’s equatorial plane has revealed that the vortical disturbances occurred in regions where these velocities were noticeably different in magnitude.

This paper uses the plasma data from Cluster and TC-1 and geomagnetic data to study the geomagnetic signatures of current wedge produced by fast-flow braking in the plasma sheet. The three fast flows studied here occurred in a very quiet background and were accompanied by no (or weak) particle injections, thus avoiding the influences from other disturbances. All the geomagnetic signatures of a substorm current wedge can be found in geomagnetic signatures of a current system produced by the braking of fast flows, indicating that the fast flows can produce a complete current wedge which contains postmidnight downward and premidnight upward field-aligned currents, as well as a westward electrojet. The Pi2 precursors exist not only at high latitudes but also at midlatitudes. The starting times of midlatitude Pi2 precursors can be identified more precisely than those of high-latitude Pi2 precursors, providing a possible method to determine the starting time of fast flows in their source regions. The AL drop that a bursty bulk flow produces is proportional to its velocity and duration. In three cases, the AL drops are 200 nT, whether a substorm can be triggered depends mainly on the conditions of the braking regions before fast flows. The observations of solar wind before the three fast flows suggest that it is difficult for the fast flows to trigger a substorm when the interplanetary magnetic field Bz of solar wind is weakly southward.

In the accompanying Papers 1 and 2 was fulfilled timing of the 20.11.05 super-storm. Were detected 4 various types of the magnetospheric disturbances observable at southward IMF, and presented a new model of the field-aligned currents density spatial distribution in the polar ionosphere. In this paper are described the ionospheric convection systems, characteristic for the above various types. Are mentioned the mesoscale spatial inhomogeneities, which are observed more or less regularly but have not been mentioned in the past literature.