Plasma regimes in the deep geomagnetic tail: ISEE 3

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL010i009p00912· OSTI ID:5541895

Bame, S J; Anderson, R C; Asbridge, J R; Baker, D N; Feldman, W C; Gosling, J T; Hones, Jr, E W; McComas, D J; Zwickl, R D

Using a lunar gravitation-assisted orbit, the ISEE-3 spacecraft remained close to and within a previously unexplored part of the distant (60--220 R/sub E/) geomagnetic tail nearly continuously from 1 January to 30 March 1983. An initial analysis of data obtained with the Los Alamos plasma electron analyzer onboard ISEE-3 reveals that all of the plasma regimes identified previously with near-earth measurements (i.e., plasma sheet, low-latitude boundary layer, plasma mantle, lobe, and magnetosheath) remain recognizable entities in the distant tail as well. However, these regimes apper to be intermingled in a more chaotic fashion than near the earth. Typical flow velocities within the plasma sheet at approx.200 R/sub E/ in this preliminary analysis are approx.500 km s/sup -1/ tailward, considerably higher than is characteristic of the near-earth plasma sheet. Earthward flow within the plasma sheet has been observed occasionally, suggesting the temporary presence of a neutral line beyond 220 R/sub E/. Strong bi-directional electron anisotropies are found throughout much of the distant plasma sheet, boundary layer, and magnetosheath.

• Research Organization: University of California, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
• OSTI ID: 5541895
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 10:9; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
ANISOTROPY
BOUNDARY LAYERS
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON DENSITY
ENERGY SPECTRA
LAYERS
MAGNETOSHEATH
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA SHEET
SPECTRA