Search Publications
Earth's collision with a solar filament on 21 January 2005: Overview
Escoubet, C. P.; Tsurutani, B. T.; Lepri, S. T. +5 more
21 January 2005, one of the fastest interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICME) of solar cycle 23, containing exceptionally dense plasma directly behind the sheath, hit the magnetosphere. We show from charge-state analysis that this material was a piece of the erupting solar filament and further, based on comparisons to the simulation of a fast C…
The role of compressional Pc5 pulsations in modulating precipitation of energetic electrons
Ohtani, S.; Motoba, T.; Takahashi, K. +2 more
Pc5 (1.67-6.67 mHz) magnetic pulsations and the modulation of energetic electron precipitation are often observed simultaneously in the morning auroral-latitude data. Here we have investigated a conjunction event of Cluster spacecraft and Canadian auroral-latitude ground stations to identify the role of compressional Pc5 pulsations in modulating p…
Core electron temperature and density in the innermost Saturn's magnetosphere from HF power spectra analysis on Cassini
Schippers, P.; Moncuquet, M.; Meyer-Vernet, N. +1 more
We analyze the large-scale structures of electrons in Saturn's inner magnetosphere equatorial plane, from 2.8 to about 10 Saturnian radii (RS). The electron total density and core temperature are obtained using the quasi-thermal noise spectroscopy method, based on the HF power spectra measurements acquired with the Cassini/Radio and Pla…
Solar cycle modulation of Titan's ionosphere
Wahlund, J. -E.; Edberg, N. J. T.; Ågren, K. +5 more
During the six Cassini Titan flybys T83-T88 (May 2012 to November 2012) the electron density in the ionospheric peak region, as measured by the radio and plasma wave science instrument/Langmuir probe, has increased significantly, by 15-30%, compared to previous average. These measurements suggest that a long−term change has occurred in the ionosph…
Separator reconnection with antiparallel/component features observed in magnetotail plasmas
Zong, Qiugang; He, Jiansen; Xie, Lun +8 more
reconnection (MR), a fundamental process in space plasmas that changes magnetic topology and converts magnetic energy into kinetic and thermal energies, is an ultimate driver of space weather. There exist two models of MR in the literatures, antiparallel and component, associated with intensive studies of their generation and applications. In this…
Heavy ion effects on substorm loading and unloading in the Earth's magnetotail
Dandouras, Iannis; Klecker, Berndt; Kistler, Lynn M. +2 more
We have performed a statistical study investigating how substorm triggering and unloading is affected by the heavy ion content of the magnetotail plasma sheet. During the substorm growth phase, magnetic flux is accumulated in the tail lobes until the magnetotail reaches an unstable state. A near-Earth neutral line then forms, and this excess flux …
Two different types of plasmoids in the plasma sheet: Cluster multisatellite analysis application
Zhang, T. L.; Dandouras, I.; Zhang, H. +10 more
fine magnetic field structure of two successive plasmoids previously reported is investigated by magnetic rotation analysis using four Cluster satellite data. Between these two plasmoids, opposite trends of curvature radius (Rc) variations of the magnetic field lines from the boundary to the inner part are found. The different variation…
Cluster observations of hot flow anomalies with large flow deflections: 1. Velocity deflections
Zong, Qiugang; Zhang, Hui; Wang, Shan
Case and statistical studies have been performed to investigate hot flow anomalies (HFAs) with large flow deflections using data from the Cluster-C1 spacecraft from 2003 to 2009. We have selected 87 events with Vy or Vz in GSE coordinates larger than 200 km s-1. Observations of these HFAs indicate a "location-depen…
Asymmetries of the magnetic field line draping shape around Venus
Kallio, E.; Zhang, T. L.; Wang, C. +1 more
The magnetic field data observed by Venus Express (VEX) from April 2006 to December 2009 are analyzed in order to describe the magnetic configuration around Venus. All the magnetic observations are organized in a coordinate system which is determined by the solar wind (SW) flow and the interplanetary magnetic field. By averaging and compiling the …
Saturn chorus intensity variations
Schippers, P.; Gurnett, D. A.; Hospodarsky, G. B. +4 more
mode chorus plasma wave emissions have been observed at Saturn near the magnetic equator and the source region. During crossings of the magnetic equator along nearly constant L shells, the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science Investigation often observes a local decrease in whistler mode intensity and bandwidth closest to the magnetic equator, wh…