Plasma behavior during energetic electron streaming events: Further evidence for substorm-associated magnetic reconnection

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL009i006p00664· OSTI ID:6706157

Bieber, J W; Stone, E C; Hones, Jr, E W; Baker, D N; Bame, S J

A recent study showed that streaming energetic (>200 keV) electrons in Earth's magnetotail are statistically associated with southward magnetic fields and with enhancements of the AE index. It is shown here that the streaming electrons characteristically are preceded by aapprox.15 minute period of tailward plasma flow and followed by a dropout of the plasma sheet, thus demonstrating a clear statistical association between substorms and the classical signatures of magnetic reconnection and plasmoid formation. Additionally, a brief upward surge of mean electron energy preceded plasma dropout in several of the events studied, providing direct evidence of localized, reconnection-associated heating processes.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
• OSTI ID: 6706157
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 9:6; 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
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HEATING
IMP SATELLITES
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA SHEET
SATELLITES