IMP-8 observations of traveling compressions regions: New evidence for near-earth plasmoids and neutral lines

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i007p00913· OSTI ID:6514288

Slavin, J A; Lepping, R P; Baker, D N ^[1]

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1. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (USA)

An examination of IMP-8 tail lobe magnetic field measurements has been conducted to determine whether the traveling compressions region (TCR) phenomena detected by ISEE-3 in the distant geotail, and believed to be caused by tailward moving plasmoids, are present closer to the earth. The study produced 16 examples of TCRs at distances of X = {minus}31 to {minus}37 R{sub E}. For two events considered in detail TCRs were observed in close association with substorm growth phase signatures in the lobes. The lengths of these TCRs are estimated to be 8-12 R{sub E}. It is their conclusion that the IMP-8 TCR observations provide new evidence that small plasmoids and, hence, multiple reconnection neutral lines can sometimes exist earthward of X = {minus}35 R{sub E}.

• OSTI ID: 6514288
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA) Vol. 17:7; ISSN GPRLA; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMPLITUDES
COMPRESSION
DISTANCE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA SHEET
PLASMOIDS
SATELLITES
TRAVELLING WAVES