Accelerated ions observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer: Beams or streams?

Details Accelerated ions observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer: Beams or streams? Accelerated ions observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer: Beams or streams?

Dec 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010ge%26ae..50..720g&link_type=abstract

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, Volume 50, Issue 6, pp.720-732

Computer Science

1

Scientific paper

We present an analysis of two crossings of the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) in Earth's magnetotail by a quartet of Cluster satellites, accomplished both in the absolutely quiet geomagnetic interval and in the restoration period between two substorms. It is found that in the quiet period, field-aligned electric currents were not observed in the PSBL, in spite of presence in this region of high-velocity ions moving toward Earth along the magnetic field lines at velocities of ˜1400 km/s. This means that in the given event, ions and electrons moved together; i.e., high-velocity ions were a part of the accelerated plasma flow. In the disturbed period, the Cluster satellites detected a system of two oppositely directed field-aligned currents, which can be associated with the presence of the X line rather close to the Earth. Owing to multipoint Cluster observations, we managed to estimate the spatial size of a current structure (along the normal to the PSBL surface), which was equal, for a current flowing toward Earth along the high-latitude PSBL boundary, to about 1600 km, which is comparable with the value of the inertial radius of ions. This agrees with the scenario of spatial separation of charges and formation of the Hall system of currents in the magnetic reconnection region. The duration of observation of the given current structure was ˜12 min., which points to the quasi-steady-state character of reconnection.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Accelerated ions observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer: Beams or streams? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Accelerated ions observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer: Beams or streams?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Accelerated ions observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer: Beams or streams? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1291093