Search Publications
Cluster observations in the magnetosheath - Part 1: Anisotropies of the wave vector distribution of the turbulence at electron scales
Maksimovic, M.; Trávníček, P.; Cornilleau-Wehrlin, N. +5 more
We analyse the power spectral density δB2 and δE2 of the magnetic and electric fluctuations measured by Cluster 1 (Rumba) in the magnetosheath during 23 h, on four different days. The frequency range of the STAFF Spectral Analyser (f=8 Hz to 4 kHz) extends from about the lower hybrid frequency, i.e. the electromagnetic (e.m.)…
Magnetopause reconnection rate estimates for Jupiter's magnetosphere based on interplanetary measurements at ~5AU
McComas, D. J.; Nichols, J. D.; Cowley, S. W. H.
We make the first quantitative estimates of the magnetopause reconnection rate at Jupiter using extended in situ data sets, building on simple order of magnitude estimates made some thirty years ago by Brice and Ionannidis (1970) and Kennel and Coroniti (1975, 1977). The jovian low-latitude magnetopause (open flux production) reconnection voltage …
Origin of the turbulent spectra in the high-altitude cusp: Cluster spacecraft observations
Balogh, A.; Dandouras, I.; Lavraud, B. +6 more
High-resolution magnetic field data from Cluster Flux Gate Magnetometer (FGM) and the Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Field Fluctuations (STAFF) instruments are used to study turbulent magnetic field fluctuations during the high-altitude cusp crossing on 17 March 2001. Despite the quiet solar wind conditions, the cusp was filled with magnetic field tu…
On the excitation of ULF waves by solar wind pressure enhancements
Glassmeier, K. -H.; Blomberg, L. G.; Schaefer, S. +1 more
We study the onset and development of an ultra low frequency (ULF) pulsation excited by a storm sudden commencement. On 30 August 2001, 14:10 UT, the Cluster spacecraft are located in the dayside magnetosphere and observe the excitation of a ULF pulsation by a threefold enhancement in the solar wind dynamic pressure. Two different harmonics are ob…
Cluster survey of the mid-altitude cusp: 1. size, location, and dynamics
Escoubet, C. P.; Pitout, F.; Klecker, B. +1 more
We present a statistical study of four years of Cluster crossings of the mid-altitude cusp. In this first part of the study, we start by introducing the method we have used a) to define the cusp properties, b) to sort the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions or behaviors into classes, c) to determine the proper time delay between the sol…
Analysis of plasmaspheric plumes: CLUSTER and IMAGE observations
Sandel, B. R.; Dandouras, I.; André, M. +13 more
Plasmaspheric plumes have been routinely observed by CLUSTER and IMAGE. The CLUSTER mission provides high time resolution four-point measurements of the plasmasphere near perigee. Total electron density profiles have been derived from the electron plasma frequency identified by the WHISPER sounder supplemented, in-between soundings, by relative va…
Cluster observations of flux rope structures in the near-tail
Lucek, E.; Fazakerley, A. N.; Owen, C. J. +4 more
An investigation of the 2003 Cluster tail season has revealed small flux ropes in the near-tail plasma sheet of Earth. These flux ropes manifest themselves as a bipolar magnetic field signature (usually predominantly in the Z-component) associated with a strong transient peak in one or more of the other components (usually the Y-component). These …
Association of Pi2 pulsations and pulsed reconnection: ground and Cluster observations in the tail lobe at 16 RE
Dandouras, I.; Lucek, E.; Hasegawa, H. +8 more
Simultaneous measurements from the Cluster spacecraft and several ground stations (SAMNET, IMAGE, Kakioka, Hermanus) provide evidence for an association of Pi2 pulsations and pulsed reconnection in the magnetotail. On 8 September 2002, substorm-related Pi2 pulsations were recorded with the same waveform (same frequency) in the tail lobe at 16 R
A multi-satellite study of accelerated ionospheric ion beams above the polar cap
Balogh, A.; Rème, H.; Grigorenko, E. +7 more
This paper presents a study of nearly field-aligned outflowing ion beams observed on the Cluster satellites over the polar cap. Data are taken at geocentric radial distances of the order of 5-9 RE. The distinction is made between ion beams originating from the polar cusp/cleft and beams accelerated almost along the magnetic field line p…
Multiple Triangulation Analysis: another approach to determine the orientation of magnetic flux ropes
Wei, Y.; Zong, Q. -G.; Dunlop, M. W. +5 more
Another approach (Multiple Triangulation Analysis, MTA) is presented to determine the orientation of magnetic flux rope, based on 4-point measurements. A 2-D flux rope model is used to examine the accuracy of the MTA technique in a theoretical way. It is found that the precision of the estimated orientation is dependent on both the spacecraft sepa…