Energetic ion regions in the deep geomagnetic tail: ISEE-3

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL011i003p00275· OSTI ID:7009642

Cowley, S W.H.; Hynds, R J; Richardson, I G; Daly, P W; Sanderson, T R; Wenzel, K; Slavin, J A; Tsurutani, B T

During the period January 1 to March 30, 1983, the ISEE-3 spacecraft was in a previously unexplored part of the distant geomagnetic tail (60-220 R/sub E/). In two recent papers Slavin et al. (1983) have examined the gross morphology of the distant tail magnetic field, showing that a well-ordered twin-lobe structure is retained at these distances, while Bame et al. (1983) have reported plasma mesurements for two 12-hour intervals and have identified the plasma regions observed. In this paper, for the latter time intervals, the energetic ion (35 keV-1.6 MeV) and magnetic field measurements made by ISEE-3 are reported and are related to the plasma measurements. The plasma sheet is found to be a region of enhanced fluxes of energetic ions, which are usually flowing unidirectionally tailward. These fluxes often extend outside the plasma sheet as identified in plasma data to form a plasma sheet boundary layer. A simple picture which accounts for these characteristics is given in which reconnection occurs at a neutral line lying Earthward of the spacecraft.

• Research Organization: The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London SW7 2BZ, UK
• OSTI ID: 7009642
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 11:3; 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
ENERGY SPECTRA
ION DRIFT
ION TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA SHEET
SPECTRA