Multiple-satellite studies of magnetospheric substorms: plasma sheet recovery and the poleward leap of auroral-zone activity

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:6152911

Pytte, T; Mcpherron, R L; Kivelson, M G; West, Jr, H I; Hones, Jr, E W

Particle observations from pairs of satellites (Ogo 5, Vela 4A and 5B, Imp 3) during the recovery of plasma sheet thickness late in substorms were examined. Six of the nine events occurred within about 5 min in locations near the estimated position of the neutral sheet, but over wide ranges of east-west and radial separations. The time of occurrence and spatial extent of the recovery were related to the onset (defined by ground Pi 2 pulsations) and approximate location (estimated from ground mid-latitude magnetic signatures) of substorm expansions. It was found that the plasma sheet recovery occurred 10 - 30 min after the last in a series of Pi bursts, which were interpreted to indicate that the recovery was not due directly to a late, high latitude substorm expansion. The recovery was also observed to occur after the substorm current wedge had moved into the evening sector and to extend far to the east of the center of the last preceding substorm expansion.

• Research Organization: Bergen Univ. (Norway). Dept. of Physics
• OSTI ID: 6152911
• Report Number(s): N-79-12633
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
IMP SATELLITES
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC STORMS
MAGNETOSPHERE
OGO SATELLITES
PLASMA SHEET
SATELLITES
VELA PROJECT