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Discontinuity observations with cluster

Balogh, A.; Neubauer, F. M.; Horbury, T. +1 more

Observations of solar wind magnetic field discontinuities using four spacecraft allow their orientation to be estimated by relative timings referred to as triangulation. From February 1st until May 13th 2001 the Cluster orbit traversed the solar wind. During these periods we identified 489 directional discontinuities (DDs) using the Tsurutani-Smit…

Advances in magnetospheric radio wave analysis and tomography

Gurnett, D. A.; Escoubet, C. P.; Pickett, J. S. +7 more

Initial theoretical studies of multi-spacecraft radio tomographic imaging of the magnetosphere have shown the potential scientific value of the technique. We report a series of multistatic radio propagation experiments with the goal of testing and verifying the capabilities of radio tomography. These experiments focused specifically on measuring t…

Experimental studies of wave-particle interactions in space using particle correlators: Results and future developments

Gough, M. P.; Buckley, A. M.; Carozzi, T. +1 more

The technique of particle correlation measures directly electron modulations that result from naturally occurring and actively stimulated wave-particle interactions in space plasmas. In the past this technique has been used for studies of beam-plasma interactions, caused by both natural auroral electron beams via sounding rockets and by artificial…

High order spectral analysis of electron plasma oscillations in the electron foreshock

Gurnett, D. A.; Pickett, J. S.; Walker, S. N. +1 more

The electron foreshock is the region in which electrons that have been reflected from the shock propagate back upstream along the magnetic field lines forming electron beams. The process of relaxation of these beams is one of the fundamental topics in plasma physics. It involves numerous nonlinear processes. High order spectral analysis is applied…

Fine structure of the polar cusp as deduced from the plasma wave and plasma measurements

Sauvaud, J. -A.; Santolik, O.; Parrot, M. +7 more

Plasma waves are one of the most significant features of plasma. They are a very sensitive indicator of the boundaries and inner structure of different regions in space plasmas. The data gathered onboard Interball 1 and Magion 4 in the polar cusp indicate that plasma wave intensity changes very rapidly with a characteristic period of the order of …

Use of non-radiation hardened micro-circuits in space — Experience from the cluster digital wave processor

Alleyne, H. St. C.; Yearby, K. H.

The trend for higher performance, lower cost, space instrumentation is leading towards the use commercial or industrial electronic parts, rather than specifically radiation hardened military grade parts. The micro-processor and memory devices used in the Cluster Digital Wave Processor (DWP) are not specifically radiation hardened parts, although t…