Analysis of an extended period of earthward plasma sheet flow at @220 R sub E : CDAW 8

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA)

OSTI ID:6049813

Schindler, K ^[1]; Baker, D N ^[2]; Birn, J; Hones, Jr, E W ^[3]; Slavin, J A ^[4]; Galvin, A B ^[5]

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1. Ruhr Univ., Bochum (Germany, F.R.)
2. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA) NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (USA)
3. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
4. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, ND (USA) NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC (USA)
5. Univ. of Maryland, College Park (USA)

Statistical studies of the ISEE 3 deep magnetic tail data (r {approx gt} 120 R{sub E}) show that the bulk electron plasma flow is virtually always tailward during both quiet and geomagnetically active times. This aspect of the magnetotail data has been interpreted as suggesting that ISEE 3 is nearly always tailward of the distant neutral line when the spacecraft is at distances {approx gt} 120 R{sub E}. During an extended period ({approximately}0900 to {approximately}1230 UT) on January 29, 1983, however, ISEE 3 observed substantial earthward plasma flows while located in the distant plasma sheet at X{sub GSM} = {minus}217 R{sub E}. The authors have analyzed the distant neutral line location within the context of the distant tail, geostationary orbit, auroral zone, and solar wind data for this case based on an extension of the Coroniti and Kennel (1972) flaring tail theory. They conclude from known solar wind conditions that for a typical neutral line location at {approximately}135 R{sub E}, an {approximately}30% increase of the near-Earth lobe field strength would be required to cause the distant neutral line to move tailward beyond 220 R{sub E}. The available data suggest that this is quite plausible and that, therefore, the earthward flow episode is due to an exceptionally distant neutral line position. The question of why substorms did not terminate the growth phase earlier is also addressed.

• OSTI ID: 6049813
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA) Vol. 94:A11; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
AURORAL ZONES
DATA ANALYSIS
DISTANCE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRON DRIFT
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOTAIL
MATHEMATICS
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA SHEET
PLASMOIDS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
STATISTICS