Magnetotail Variability During Magnetospheric Substorms

Kumar, S.; Pulkkinen, T. I.; Gjerloev, J.

doi:10.1029/2023JA031722

Magnetotail Variability During Magnetospheric Substorms

Journal Article · Mon Mar 11 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JA031722· OSTI ID:2323380

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Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USA
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Laurel MD USA

Abstract

In this work, we present a statistical study of substorms covering a five‐year period 2016–2020. Substorm phases were identified from time series of the SuperMAG AL (SML) index using a list of 5,077 previously identified substorm onsets, the SML peak value marking transition from expansion to recovery phase, and the recovery identified as return to activity less than −100 nT in the SML index. Magnetic field observations from THEMIS, RBSP, and MMS missions were used to study the magnetotail characteristics during the substorm evolution. A superposed epoch analysis indicates that the substorm onset occurs almost simultaneously with a few minutes of uncertainty throughout the magnetotail, ranging from geostationary orbit to 20 RE. The onset in the transition region precedes the ground onset by a few minutes. The peak SML time coincides with the peak of the outer transition region Δ B _Z , which suggests that the field‐aligned currents driving the SML activity arise from the outer transition region. Analysis of 2D maps of the tail magnetic field shows that the magnetotail current changes are limited to the center of the tail within | Y | < 10 R _E . The substorm recovery is fastest in the inner transition region and lasts longer when moving further out. We did not find major asymmetries in the substorm signatures associated with IMF B _Y or B _Z .

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2323380

Journal Information:: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 129; ISSN 2169-9380

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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