Cluster encounter of a magnetic reconnection diffusion region in the near-Earth magnetotail on September 19, 2003
Balogh, A.; Rème, H.; Mouikis, C.; Phan, T. D.; McFadden, J. P.; Øieroset, M.; Mozer, F. S.; Borg, A. L.; Pedersen, A.; Twitty, C.
Norway, United States, United Kingdom, France
Abstract
We report a clear encounter by the Cluster spacecraft of a magnetic reconnection diffusion region in the near-Earth magnetotail at XGSM = -17.5 RE on September 19, 2003. In addition to the reversals of the plasma jets and of GSM-z (~normal) component of the magnetic field, clear signatures of Hall quadrupolar (GSM-y) magnetic fields as well as bipolar Hall (GSM-z) electric fields with amplitude up to 80 mV/m directed toward the neutral sheet in both hemispheres were observed. Furthermore, large fluctuations in the electric field perpendicular to the magnetic field with amplitudes reaching 65 mV/m were observed near the separatrices in both hemispheres and in association with local density minima.