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2. |
- Apatenkov, S. V., et al.
(author)
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Conjugate observation of sharp dynamical boundary in the inner magnetosphere by Cluster and DMSP spacecraft and ground network
- 2008
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In: Annales Geophysicae. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 26:9, s. 2771-2780
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigate an unusual sharp boundary separating two plasma populations (inner magnetospheric plasma with high fluxes of energetic particles and plasma sheet) observed by the Cluster quartet near its perigee on 16 December 2003. Cluster was in a pearl-on-string configuration at 05:00 MLT and mapped along magnetic field lines to similar to 8-9 R-E in the equatorial plane. It was conjugate to the MIRACLE network and the DMSP F16 spacecraft passed close to Cluster footpoint. The properties of the sharp boundary, repeatedly crossed 7 times by five spacecraft during similar to 10 min, are: (1) upward FAC sheet at the boundary with similar to 30 nA/m(2) current density at Cluster and similar to 2000 nA/m(2) at DMSP; (2) the boundary had an embedded layered structure with different thickness scales, the electron population transition was at similar to 20 km scale at Cluster (<7 km at DMSP), proton population had a scale similar to 100 km, while the FAC sheet thickness was estimated to be similar to 500 km at Cluster (similar to 100 km at DMSP); (3) the boundary propagated in the earthward-eastward direction at similar to 8 km/s in situ (equatorward-eastward similar to 0.8 km/s in ionosphere), and then decelerated and/or stopped. We discuss the boundary formation by the collision of two different plasmas which may include dynamical three-dimensional field-aligned current loops.
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3. |
- Apatenkov, S. V., et al.
(author)
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Multi-spacecraft observation of plasma dipolarization/injection in the inner magnetosphere
- 2007
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In: Annales Geophysicae. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 25:3, s. 801-814
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Addressing the origin of the energetic particle injections into the inner magnetosphere, we investigate the 23 February 2004 substorm using a favorable constellation of four Cluster (near perigee), LANL and Geotail spacecraft. Both an energy-dispersed and a dispersionless injection were observed by Cluster crossing the plasma sheet horn, which mapped to 9-12 R-E in the equatorial plane close to the midnight meridian. Two associated narrow equatorward auroral tongues/streamers propagating from the oval poleward boundary could be discerned in the global images obtained by IMAGE/WIC. As compared to the energy-dispersed event, the dispersionless injection front has important distinctions consequently repeated at 4 spacecraft: a simultaneous increase in electron fluxes at energies similar to 1.300 keV, similar to 25 nT increase in B-Z and a local increase by a factor 1.5-1.7 in plasma pressure. The injected plasma was primarily of solar wind origin. We evaluated the change in the injected flux tube configuration during the dipolarization by fitting flux increases observed by the PEACE and RAPID instruments, assuming adiabatic heating and the Liouville theorem. Mapping the locations of the injection front detected by the four spacecraft to the equatorial plane, we estimated the injection front thickness to be similar to 1 R-E and the earthward propagation speed to be similar to 200-400km/s (at 9-12 RE). Based on observed injection properties, we suggest that it is the underpopulated flux tubes (bubbles with enhanced magnetic field and sharp inner front propagating earthward), which accelerate and transport particles into the strong-field dipolar region.
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4. |
- Baumjohann, W., et al.
(author)
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Dynamics of thin current sheets : Cluster observations
- 2007
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In: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 25:6, s. 1365-1389
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper tries to sort out the specific signatures of the Near Earth Neutral Line (NENL) and the Current Disruption (CD) models. and looks for these signatures in Cluster data from two events. For both events transient magnetic si-natures are observed, together with fast ion flows. In the simplest form of NENL scenario, with a large-scale two-dimensional reconnection site, quasi-invariance along Y is expected. Thus the magnetic signatures in the S/C frame are interpreted as relative motions, along the X or Z direction, of a quasi-steady X-line, with respect to the S/C. In the simplest form of CD scenario an azimuthal modulation is expected. Hence the signatures in the S/C frame are interpreted as signatures of azimuthally (along Y) moving current system associated with low frequency fluctuations of J(y) and the corresponding field-aligned currents Event I covers a pseudo-breakup, developing only at high latitudes. First, a thin (H approximate to 2000Km approximate to 2 rho(i), with pi the ion gyroradius) Current Sheet (CS) is found to be quiet. A slightly thinner CS (H approximate to 1000-2000 km approximate to 1-2 rho(i)), crossed about 30 min later, is found to be active. with fast earthward ion flow bursts (300-600 km/s) and simultaneous large amplitude fluctuations (delta B/B similar to 1). In the quiet CS the current density J(y) is carried by ions. Conversely, in the active CS ions are moving eastward; the westward current is carried by electrons that move eastward, faster than ions. Similarly, the velocity of earthward flows (300-600 km/s), observed during the active period. maximizes near or at the CS center. During the active phase of Event I no signature of the crossing of an X-line is identified, but an X-line located beyond Cluster could account for the observed ion flows, provided that it is active for at least 20 min. Ion flow bursts can also be due to CD and to the corresponding dipolarizations which are associated with changes in the current density. Yet their durations are shorter than the duration of the active period. While the overall partial derivative Bz/partial derivative t is too weak to accelerate ions up to the observed velocities, short duration partial derivative B-z/partial derivative t can produce the azimuthal electric field requested to account for the observed ion flow bursts. The corresponding large amplitude perturbations are shown to move eastward. which suggests that the reduction in the tail current could be achieved via a series of eastward traveling partial dipolarisations/CD. The second event is much more active than the first one. The observed flapping of the CS corresponds to an azimuthally propagating wave. A reversal in the proton flow velocity, from 1000 to + 1000 km/s, is measured by CODIF. The overall flow reversal, the associated change in the sign of B-z and the relationship between B-x and B-y suggest that the spacecraft are moving with respect to an X-line and its associated Hall-structure. Yet, a simple tailward retreat of a large-scale X-line cannot account for all the observations, since several flow reversals are observed. These quasi-periodic flow reversals can also be associated with an azimuthal motion of the low frequency oscillations. Indeed, at the beginning of the interval B-y varies rapidly along the Y direction; the magnetic signature is three-dimensional and essentially corresponds to a structure of filamentary field-aligned current, moving eastward at similar to 200 km/s. The transverse size of the structure is similar to 1000 km. Similar structures are observed before and after. Thesefilamentary structures are consistent with an eastward propagation of an azimuthal modulation associated with a current system J(y), J(x). During Event 1, signatures of filamentary field-aligned current structures are also observed, in association with modulations of J(y). Hence, for both events the structure of the magnetic fields and currents is three-dimensional.
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5. |
- Chen, Li-Jen, et al.
(author)
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Evidence of an extended electron current sheet and its neighboring magnetic island during magnetotail reconnection
- 2008
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 113:A12, s. A12213-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have identified a spatially extended electron current sheet (ECS) and its adjacent magnetic island during a magnetotail reconnection event with no appreciable guide field. This finding is based on data from the four Cluster spacecraft and is enabled by detailed maps of electron distribution functions and DC electric fields within the diffusion region. The maps are developed using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations with a mass ratio m(i)/m(e) = 800. One spacecraft crossed the ECS earthward of the reconnection null and, together with the other three spacecraft, registered the following properties: (1) The ECS is colocated with a layer of bipolar electric fields normal to the ECS, pointing toward the ECS, and with a half width less than 8 electron skin depths. (2) In the inflow region up to the ECS and separatrices, electrons have a temperature anisotropy (Te-parallel to/Te-perpendicular to > 1), and the anisotropy increases toward the ECS. (3) Within about 1 ion skin depth (d(i)) above and below the ECS, the electron density decreases toward the ECS by a factor of 3-4, reaching a minimum at edges of the ECS, and has a local distinct maximum at the ECS center. (4) A di-scale magnetic island is attached to the ECS, separating it from another reconnection layer. Our simulations established that the electric field normal to the ECS is due to charge imbalance and is of the ECS scale, and ions exhibit electron-scale structures in response to this electric field.
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6. |
- Artemyev, A. V., et al.
(author)
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Field-Aligned Currents Originating From the Magnetic Reconnection Region : Conjugate MMS-ARTEMIS Observations
- 2018
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In: Geophysical Research Letters. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 45:12, s. 5836-5844
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Near-Earth magnetic reconnection reconfigures the magnetotail and produces strong plasma flows that transport plasma sheet particles and electromagnetic energy to the inner magnetosphere. An essential element of such a reconfiguration is strong, transient field-aligned currents. These currents, believed to be generated within the plasma sheet and closed at the ionosphere, are responsible for magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling during substorms. We use conjugate measurements from Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) at the plasma sheet boundary (around x approximate to- 10R(E)) and Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) at the equator (around x approximate to- 60R(E)) to explore the potential generation region of these currents. We find a clear correlation between the field-aligned current intensity measured by MMS and the tailward plasma sheet flows measured by ARTEMIS. To better understand the origin of this correlation, we compare spacecraft observations with results from 3-D particle-in-cell simulations of magnetotail reconnection. The comparison reveals that field-aligned currents and plasma flows start, wax, and wane due to the development of a reconnection region between MMS (near-Earth) and ARTEMIS (at lunar distance). A weak correlation between the field-aligned current intensity at MMS and earthward flow magnitudes at ARTEMIS suggests that distant magnetotail reconnection does not significantly contribute to the generation of the observed near-Earth currents. Our findings support the idea that the dominant role of the near-Earth magnetotail reconnection in the field-aligned current generation is likely responsible for their transient nature, whereas more steady distant tail reconnection would support long-term field-aligned current system. Plain Language Summary Field-aligned currents connect the Earth magnetotail and ionosphere, proving energy and information transport from the region where main energy release process, magnetic reconnection, occurs to the region where the collisional energy dissipation takes place. Therefore, investigation and modeling of the field-aligned current generation is important problem of the magnetosphere plasma physics. However, field-aligned current investigation requires simultaneous observations of reconnection signatures in the magnetotail and at high latitudes. Simultaneous and conjugate operation of two multispacecraft missions, Magnetospheric Multiscale and Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun, for the first time provide an opportunity for such investigation. Combining spacecraft observations with results from 3-D particle-in-cell simulations of magnetotail reconnection, we demonstrate that field-aligned currents and plasma flows start, wax, and wane due to the development of a reconnection region between near-Earth (Magnetospheric Multiscale location) and lunar distant tail (Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun location). Our findings support the idea that the dominant role of the near-Earth magnetotail reconnection in the field-aligned current generation is likely responsible for their transient nature, whereas more steady distant tail reconnection would support long-term field-aligned current system.
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7. |
- Nakamura, R., et al.
(author)
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Cluster observations of an ion-scale current sheet in the magnetotail under the presence of a guide field
- 2008
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 113:A7, s. A07S16-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on Cluster observations of a thin current sheet interval under the presence of a strong vertical bar B-Y vertical bar during a fast earthward flow interval between 1655 UT and 1703 UT on 17 August 2003. The strong vertical bar B-Y vertical bar in the tail could be associated with a strong IMF vertical bar B-Y vertical bar, but the large fluctuations in B-Y, not seen in the IMF, suggest that a varying reconnection rate causes a varying transport of B-Y-dominated magnetic flux and/or a change in B-Y due to the Hall-current system. During the encounter of the high-speed flow, an intense current layer was observed around 1655: 53 UT with a peak current density of 182 nA/m(2), the largest current density observed by the Cluster four-spacecraft magnetic field measurement in the magnetotail. The half width of this current layer was estimated to be similar to 290 km, which was comparable to the ion-inertia length. Its unique signature is that the strong current is mainly field-aligned current flowing close to the center of the plasma sheet. The event was associated with parallel heating of electrons with asymmetries, which suggests that electrons moving along the field lines can contribute to a strong dawn-to-dusk current when the magnetotail current sheet becomes sufficiently thin and active in a strong guide field case.
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8. |
- Fu, H. S., et al.
(author)
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Dipolarization fronts as a consequence of transient reconnection : in situ evidence
- 2013
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In: Geophysical Research Letters. - : American Geophysical Union. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 40:23, s. 6023-6027
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dipolarization fronts (DFs) are frequently detected in the Earth's magnetotail from X-GSM=-30 R-E to X-GSM=-7 R-E. How these DFs are formed is still poorly understood. Three possible mechanisms have been suggested in previous simulations: (1) jet braking, (2) transient reconnection, and (3) spontaneous formation. Among these three mechanisms, the first has been verified by using spacecraft observation, while the second and third have not. In this study, we show Cluster observation of DFs inside reconnection diffusion region. This observation provides in situ evidence of the second mechanism: Transient reconnection can produce DFs. We suggest that the DFs detected in the near-Earth region (X-GSM>-10 R-E) are primarily attributed to jet braking, while the DFs detected in the mid- or far-tail region (X-GSM<-15 R-E) are primarily attributed to transient reconnection or spontaneous formation. In the jet-braking mechanism, the high-speed flow pushes the preexisting plasmas to produce the DF so that there is causality between high-speed flow and DF. In the transient-reconnection mechanism, there is no causality between high-speed flow and DF, because the frozen-in condition is violated.
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9. |
- Keika, K., et al.
(author)
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Response of the inner magnetosphere and the plasma sheet to a sudden impulse
- 2008
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 113:A7, s. A07S35-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- [1] The passage of an interplanetary shock caused a sudden compression of the magnetosphere between 0900 UT and 0915 UT on 24 August 2005. An estimate of the shock normal from solar wind data obtained by Geotail upstream of the bow shock indicates symmetric compression with respect to the noon-midnight meridian. Compression-related disturbances of the magnetic and electric field and plasma motion were observed by Double Star Program (DSP) Tan Ce 1 (TC1) and Tan Ce 2 (TC2) in the inner magnetosphere and by the Cluster spacecraft in the dawnside plasma sheet. DSP/TC1 and TC2 observations suggest that the disturbances in the inner magnetosphere are propagating from the dayside magnetopause. Cluster S/C 4 observations indicate that the front normal of the disturbances in the dawnside plasma sheet is phi similar to 180 degrees at 0902: 50 UT and phi = 107 degrees at 0904: 34 UT, where phi is the longitude in GSM coordinates, if we assume that the measured electric field is on the front plane and the normal lies on the X-Y plane. The timing analysis applied to magnetic field data from the four Cluster spacecraft independently gives a front normal, which is calculated to be phi =131 degrees at about 0904: 20 UT. Shock-associated magnetic and electric field disturbances propagating from both the dayside and flank magnetopauses are detected in the plasma sheet; the latter makes the dominant contribution. Substorms are, however, not triggered at the passage of the disturbances.
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10. |
- Runov, A., et al.
(author)
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Observations of an active thin current sheet
- 2008
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 113:A7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We analyze observations of magnetotail current sheet dynamics during a substorm between 2330 and 2400 UT on 28 August 2005 when Cluster was in the plasma sheet at [-17.2, -4.49, 0.03] R-E (GSM) with the foot points near the IMAGE ground-based network. Observations from the Cluster spacecraft, ground-based magnetometers, and the IMAGE satellite showed that the substorm started in a localized region near midnight, expanding azimuthally. A thin current sheet with a thickness of less than 900 km and current density of about 30 nA/m(2) was observed during 5 min around the substorm onset. The thinning of the current sheet was accompanied by tailward plasma flow at a velocity of -700 km/s and subsequent reversal to earthward flow at V-x approximate to 500 km/s coinciding with a B-z turning from -5 to + 10 nT. The analysis of magnetic and electric fields behavior and particle distributions reveals signatures of impulsive (with similar to 1 min timescale) activations of the thin current sheet. These observations were interpreted in the framework of transient reconnection, although the data analysis reveals serious disagreements with the classical 2.5-D X line model.
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