Electric field evidence for tailward flow at substorm onset

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA088iA11p09109· OSTI ID:5093828

Nishida, A; Tulunay, Y K; Mozer, F S; Cattell, C A; Hones, Jr, E W

Electric field observations made near the neutral sheet of the magnetotail provide additional support for the view that reconnection occurs in the near-earth region of the tail. Southward turnings of the magnetic field that start at, or shortly after, substorm onsets are accompanied by enhancments in the dawn-to-dusk electric field, resulting in a tailward E x B drift velocity. Both the magnetic and the electric fields in the tailward-flowing plasma are nonuniform and vary with inferred spatial scales of several R/sub E/ in the events examined in this paper. These non-uniformities may be the consequence of the tearing-mode process. The E x B flow was also towards the neutral sheet and away from midnight in the events studied.

• Research Organization: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
• OSTI ID: 5093828
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 88:A11; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
TEARING INSTABILITY