Journal article
The plasma sheet and boundary layers under northward IMF: A multi-point and multi-instrument perspective
Advances in space research, Vol.41(10), pp.1619-1629
2008
DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2007.10.013
Abstract
During conditions of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the near-tail plasma sheet is known to become denser and cooler, and is described as the cold-dense plasma sheet (CDPS). While its source is likely the solar wind, the prominent penetration mechanisms are less clear. The two main candidates are solar wind direct capture via double high-latitude reconnection on the dayside and Kelvin–Helmholtz/diffusive processes at the flank magnetopause. This paper presents a case study on the formation of the CDPS utilizing a wide variety of space- and ground-based observations, but primarily from the Double Star and Polar spacecraft on December 5th, 2004. The pertinent observations can be summarized as follows: TC-1 observes quasi-periodic (∼2
min period) cold-dense boundary layer (compared to a hot-tenuous plasma sheet) signatures interspersed with magnetosheath plasma at the dusk flank magnetopause near the dawn-dusk terminator. Analysis of this region suggests the boundary to be Kelvin–Helmholtz unstable and that plasma transport is ongoing across the boundary. At the same time, IMAGE spacecraft and ground based SuperDARN measurements provide evidence of high-latitude reconnection in both hemispheres. The Polar spacecraft, located in the southern hemisphere afternoon sector, sunward of TC-1, observes a persistent boundary layer with no obvious signature of boundary waves. The plasma is of a similar appearance to that observed by TC-1 inside the boundary layer further down the dusk flank, and by TC-2 in the near-Earth magnetotail. We present comparisons of electron phase space distributions between the spacecraft. Although the dayside boundary layer at Polar is most likely formed via double high-altitude reconnection, and is somewhat comparable to the flank boundary layer at Double Star, some differences argue in favour of additional transport that augment solar wind plasma entry into the tail regions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The plasma sheet and boundary layers under northward IMF: A multi-point and multi-instrument perspective
- Creators
- J.A Davies - Rutherford Appleton LaboratoryR.H.W Friedel - Los Alamos National LaboratoryH Frey - University of California, BerkeleyY.V Bogdanova - University College LondonA Åsnes - European Space Research and Technology CentreH Laakso - European Space Research and Technology CentreP Trávníček - Czech Academy of SciencesA Masson - European Space Research and Technology CentreH Opgenoorth - European Space Research and Technology CentreC Vallat - European Space Research and Technology CentreA.N Fazakerley - University College LondonA.D Lahiff - University College LondonC.J Owen - University College LondonF Pitout - Max Planck SocietyZ Pu - Peking UniversityM.G.G.T Taylor - European Space Research and Technology CentreC Shen - Chinese Academy of SciencesB Lavraud - Los Alamos National LaboratoryQ.G Zong - University of Massachusetts LowellC.P Escoubet - European Space Research and Technology CentreH Rème - Centre d’Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements, Toulouse, Cedex 4, FranceS.E Milan - University of LeicesterJ Scudder - University of IowaK Nykyri - Imperial College LondonT.L Zhang - Austrian Academy of SciencesM.W Dunlop - Imperial College London
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Advances in space research, Vol.41(10), pp.1619-1629
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.asr.2007.10.013
- ISSN
- 0273-1177
- eISSN
- 1879-1948
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2008
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984199732502771
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