Three-dimensional magnetic structure of the plasmoid created in the magnetotail at substorm onset

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL009i003p00203· OSTI ID:5496264

Hones, Jr, E W; Birn, J; Bame, S J; Paschmann, G; Russell, C T

Reconnection of magnetic field lines at a neutral line that forms in the near-earth region of the plasma sheet at substorm onset creates, from some longitudinal sector of the plasma sheet, a plasmoid that is then free to flow out of the magnetotail into the magnetosphere's wake. The magnetic field in the departing plasmoid frequently displays a strong positive or negative Y/sub S/M component that has been difficult to reconcile with the reconnection geometry as it is traditionally depicted in two dimensions. We show that this deviation of the magnetic field is a manifestation of a draping of the newly reconnected field line loops toward the tail's central (midnight) meridian and that the draping is a consequence of the three-dimensional plasma flow associated with the reconnection process.

• Research Organization: University of California, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
• OSTI ID: 5496264
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 9:3; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA SHEET
PLASMOIDS