Magnetic flux transfer associated with expansions and contractions of the dayside magnetosphere

The paper shows that the use of an empirical ellipsoidal model of the sunward magnetopause - which uses Ogo 5 magnetometer data, solar wind data from three satellites, and auroral zone magnetic indices - yields quantitative statistical estimates of the relative values of magnetopause displacements due to solar wind variation, flux transfers, and other causes. While the displacements due to flux transfers are smaller on the average, they are clearly comparable with those due solar wind fluctuations. The fact that expansion and contraction events are observed throughout the region accessible to Ogo 5 satellite on the sunward magnetopause suggests that the entire sunward magnetosphere is affected by flux erosion and return.