Multipoint Analysis of the Rapid Convection Event

Abstract

Basing on the data from three satellites of Cluster (C1, C3 and C4) in the years of 2001 and 2002, we examine the relationship between the rapid convection event (RCE) and substorm. The observation of RCE measured by single satellite can not exactly describe what happens in the magnetotail. Both C1 and C3 observed the event occurring on July 25, 2002, but C4 did not. Among the 306 RCEs jointly measured by three satellites, 215 ones were observed by C1. C3 and C4 obtained 266 and 227 ones respectively. The average duration of RCE in the magnetosphere can't be really represented by single satellite. So our analysis has shown that RCE transports more fractions of energy and magnetic flux than what had calculated by single satellite in the central plasma sheet (CPS). Relationship between bursty bulk flow (BBF) termed by the velocity and substorm is more close than that of RCE defined by the magnetic flux.