The magnetopause electron layer along the distant magnetotail

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL004i004p00133· OSTI ID:7304708

Baker, D N; Stone, E C

An energetic electron layer is found immediately adjacent to, and outside of, the magnetopause surface along the distant magnetotail (-40approximately-less-thanX/sub SM/approximately-less-than-15R/sub E/). The layer has been detected using Caltech instrumentation aboard the earth-orbiting spacecraft IMP-8 and is observed for electrons with energies E>200 keV. The present study shows that such electrons form a layer approx.3R/sub E/ thick and are strongly streaming in a well-ordered pattern, especially along the dusk magnetopause. The energy dissipation implied by the persistent flow may be a direct indication of nearly continuous magnetic merging at or near the magnetopause.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125
• OSTI ID: 7304708
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 4:4; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BARYONS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY LOSSES
ENERGY RANGE
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IMP SATELLITES
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 100-1000
LEPTONS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOTAIL
NUCLEONS
PROTONS
SATELLITES