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Observations of plasma distributions during the cdaw substorms of 31 March - 1 April 1979

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5319986
On 31 March and 1 April 1979 a sequence of substorms was recorded on the ground. During the entire active period the ISEE-1 and -2 satellites were located in the magnetotail, between 22 and 12 earth radii from the earth. Observations of plasma distributions made at varying levels of activity during these substorms provide good examples of typical magnetotail responses. These measurements were obtained with the Lepedea on board the ISEE-1 spacecraft. The observations show that the main response of the magnetotail during active periods is primarily spatial. The central plasma sheet contracts at substorm onset and expands during the recovery phase. This motion causes the ISEE-1 and -2 spacecraft to move from one plasma regime to another, e.g., from the central plasma sheet to the plasma-sheet boundary layer. Further, these regions can be characterized by their plasma distributions which retain their essential signatures even under substorm conditions. At times when accelerated plasma is observed the source of the energetic particles appears to be located tailward of the satellite. This is generally true of the plasma-sheet boundary layer in which net earthward streaming is detected on most crossings in this region.
Research Organization:
Iowa Univ., Iowa City (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
OSTI ID:
5319986
Report Number(s):
AD-A-168580/9/XAB; U-OF-IOWA-86-12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English