A reconnection layer associated with a magnetic cloud

C.J Farrugia; B Vasquez; I.G Richardson; R.B Torbert; L.F Burlaga; H.K Biernat; S Mühlbachler; K.W Ogilvie; R.P Lepping; J.D Scudder; D.E Berdichevsky; V.S Semenov; I.V Kubyshkin; T.-D Phan; R.P Lin

doi:10.1016/S0273-1177(01)00529-4

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A reconnection layer associated with a magnetic cloud

Journal article

Peer reviewed

A reconnection layer associated with a magnetic cloud

C.J Farrugia, B Vasquez, I.G Richardson, R.B Torbert, L.F Burlaga, H.K Biernat, S Mühlbachler, K.W Ogilvie, R.P Lepping, J.D Scudder, …

Advances in space research, Vol.28(5), pp.759-764

2001

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1177(01)00529-4

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Abstract

We examine a 3-hour long interval on December 24, 1996, containing a magnetic hole associated with an interplanetary magnetic cloud. Two sets of perturbations are observed by the Wind spacecraft at 1 AU. In the first, the field and flow rotate at constant field strength, and the plasma is accelerated to the local Alfven speed. We show this to be a rotational discontinuity. In the second, observed 25 min later, the plasma is heated and the field decreases. We show this to be a slow shock. The whole structure is in pressure balance. We interpret the observations as MHD discontinuities arriving with varying delays from a reconnection site closer to the Sun. Energetic particle observations suggest further that ejecta material is present for many hours prior to the magnetic cloud observation and separated from it by the layer. This suggests that reconnection took place between field lines of a CME of which the magnetic cloud formed a part.

Details

Title: Subtitle: A reconnection layer associated with a magnetic cloud
Creators: C.J Farrugia - University of New Hampshire
B Vasquez - University of New Hampshire
I.G Richardson - Goddard Space Flight Center
R.B Torbert - University of New Hampshire
L.F Burlaga - Goddard Space Flight Center
H.K Biernat - Austrian Academy of Sciences
S Mühlbachler - Austrian Academy of Sciences
K.W Ogilvie - Goddard Space Flight Center
R.P Lepping - Goddard Space Flight Center
J.D Scudder - University of Iowa
D.E Berdichevsky - Raytheon
V.S Semenov - Institute of Physics, University of St Petersburg, St Petersburg, Russia
I.V Kubyshkin - Institute of Physics, University of St Petersburg, St Petersburg, Russia
T.-D Phan - University of California, Berkeley
R.P Lin - University of California, Berkeley
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Advances in space research, Vol.28(5), pp.759-764
DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1177(01)00529-4
ISSN: 0273-1177
eISSN: 1879-1948
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Language: English
Date published: 2001
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984199690402771

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