Pc5 geomagnetic field fluctuations at discrete frequencies at a low latitude station

Abstract. A statistical analysis of the geomagnetic field fluctuations in the Pc5 frequency range (1–5 mHz) at a low latitude station (L = 1.6) provides further evidence for daytime power peaks at discrete frequencies. The power enhancements, which become more pronounced during high solar wind pressure conditions, may be interpreted in terms of ground signatures of magnetospheric cavity/waveguide compressional modes driven by solar wind pressure pulses. In this sense, the much clearer statistical evidence for afternoon events can be related to corotating structures mainly impinging the postnoon magnetopause. A comparison with results obtained for the same time intervals from previous investigations at higher latitudes and in the Earth’s magnetosphere confirms the global character of the observed modes.

Key words. Magnetospheric physics (MHD waves and instabilities; solar wind-magnetospheric interactions)