Plasma waves in the distant magnetotail

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA081i034p06059· OSTI ID:7323688

Gurnett, D A; Frank, L A; Lepping, R P

In this study we identify the principal types of plasma waves which occur in the distant magnetotail, and we investigate the relationship of these waves to simultaneous plasma and magnetic field measurements made on the same spacecraft. The observations used in this study are from the Imp 8 spacecraft, which passes through the magnetotail at radial distances ranging from about 23.1 to 46.3 R/sub E/. Three principal types of plasma waves are detected by Imp 8 in the distant magnetotail: broad band electrostatic noise, whistler mode magnetic noise bursts, and electrostatic electron cyclotron waves. The electrostatic noise is a broad band emission which occurs in the frequency range from about 10 Hz to a few kilohertz, and is the most intense and frequently occurring type of plasma wave detected in the distant magnetotail. This noise is found in regions with large gradients in the magnetic field near the outer boundaries of the plasma sheet and in regions with large plasma flow speeds, 10/sup 3/ km s/sup -1/, directed either toward or away from the earth. The whistler mode magnetic bursts observed by Imp 8 consist of nearly monochromatic tones which last from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds. These noise bursts occur in the same region as the broad band electrostatic noise, although much less frequently, and are thought to be associated with regions carrying substantial field-aligned currents. Electrostatic electron cyclotron waves are seldom detected by Imp 8 in the the distant magnetotail. Although these waves occur very infrequently, they may be of considerable importance, since they have been observed in regions near the neutral sheet when the plasma is extremely hot. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik, Institut fuer extraterrestrische Physik Garching, West Germany
• OSTI ID: 7323688
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 81:34; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
HEATING
IMP SATELLITES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOTAIL
NOISE
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA SHEET
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SATELLITES
WHISTLERS