Search Publications
Cluster observation of few-hour-scale evolution of structured plasma in the inner magnetosphere
Lundin, R.; Yamauchi, M.; Dandouras, I. +2 more
Using Cluster Ion Spectrometry (CIS) data from the spacecraft-4 perigee traversals during the 2001-2006 period (nearly 500 traversals after removing those that are highly contaminated by radiation belt particles), we statistically examined the local time distribution of structured trapped ions at sub- to few-keV range as well as inbound-outbound d…
Observational aspects of IMF draping-related magnetosheath accelerations for northward IMF
Farrugia, C. J.; Erkaev, N. V.; Harris, B. +1 more
Acceleration of magnetosheath plasma resulting from the draping of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) around the magnetosphere can give rise to flow speeds that exceed that of the solar wind (VSW) by up to ~60%. Three case event studies out of 34 identified events are described. We then present a statistical study of draping-relate…
Ion cyclotron waves during the Rosetta approach phase: a magnetic estimate of cometary outgassing
Glassmeier, K. -H.; Volwerk, M.; Richter, I. +4 more
A theoretical model for the ion cyclotron wave generation during the approach phase of Rosetta to 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is presented. For various activity levels of the comet, the crossing of the observational threshold is determined, whose level is derived from the wave power in the undisturbed solar wind near the comet's location during the …
Remote sensing of a NTC radio source from a Cluster tilted spacecraft pair
Lointier, G.; Rauch, J. -L.; Trotignon, J. -G. +7 more
The Cluster mission operated a "tilt campaign" during the month of May 2008. Two of the four identical Cluster spacecraft were placed at a close distance (~50 km) from each other and the spin axis of one of the spacecraft pair was tilted by an angle of ~46°. This gave the opportunity, for the first time in space, to measure global characteristics …
Characteristics of the Taylor microscale in the solar wind/foreshock: magnetic field and electron velocity measurements
Fazakerley, A. N.; Gurgiolo, C.; Goldstein, M. L. +2 more
The Taylor microscale is one of the fundamental turbulence scales. Not easily estimated in the interplanetary medium employing single spacecraft data, it has generally been studied through two point correlations. In this paper we present an alternative, albeit mathematically equivalent, method for estimating the Taylor microscale (λT). …
Theoretical constraints on the cross-tail width of bursty bulk flows
Chen, C. X.
The characteristic cross-tail width of bursty bulk flows (BBFs) in earth's plasma sheet was investigated at two stages of its life, one at its onset, the other when it is fully developed. Equilibrium domains with gradient of magnetic field are constructed. Interchange instability analysis of such domains yields the most unstable mode with the half…
Magnetic interconnection of Saturn's polar regions: comparison of modelling results with Hubble Space Telescope UV auroral images
Belenkaya, E. S.; Cowley, S. W. H.; Kalegaev, V. V. +2 more
We consider the magnetic interconnection of Saturn's northern and southern polar regions controlled by the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), studying in particular the more complex and interesting case of southward IMF, when the Kronian magnetospheric magnetic field structure is the most twisted. The simpler case of northward IMF is also discus…
IMF-induced escape of molecular ions from the Martian ionosphere
Fujimoto, M.; Kubota, Y.; Maezawa, K. +1 more
Since Mars does not possess a significant global intrinsic magnetic field, the solar wind interacts directly with the Martian ionosphere and can induce ion escapes from it. Phobos-2 and recent Mars Express (MEX) observations have shown that the escaping ions are O+ as well as molecular O2+ and CO2+<…
Comparative time-series analysis of MeV electron data by Ulysses and Pioneer 10/11 in the Jovian magnetosphere
Potgieter, M. S.; Heber, B.; Kopp, A. +1 more
The dynamics of the Jovian magnetosphere is dominated by the planet's fast rotation with a period of ~ 10 h. Within the magnetosphere, this periodicity can in particular be seen in the temporal variation of the spectral index of MeV electrons: every ~ 10 h the counting rates show a maximum (minimum), while the spectral index shows a minimum (maxim…
Kinetic structure and wave properties associated with sharp dipolarization front observed by Cluster
Deng, X. H.; Huang, S. Y.; Yuan, Z. G. +6 more
Multiple dipolarization fronts (DFs) were observed by Cluster spacecraft in the magnetotail during a substorm. These DFs were kinetic structures, embedded in the bursty plasma flow, and moved earthward (mainly) and dawnward. Intense electric field, parallel and perpendicular currents were detected in the DF layer. These front layers were energy di…