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The Electron Temperature and Anisotropy in the Solar Wind. Comparison of the Core and Halo Populations
Trávníček, P. M.; Maksimovic, M.; Štverák, Š. +3 more
Estimating the temperature of solar wind particles and their anisotropies is particularly important for understanding the origin of their deviations from thermal equilibrium and the effects this has. In the absence of energetic events, the velocity distribution of electrons reveals a dual structure with a thermal (Maxwellian) core and a supratherm…
Kappa Distributions: Theory and Applications in Space Plasmas
Pierrard, V.; Lazar, M.
The plasma particle velocity distributions observed in the solar wind generally show enhanced (non-Maxwellian) suprathermal tails, decreasing as a power law of the velocity and well described by the family of Kappa distribution functions. The presence of non-thermal populations at different altitudes in space plasmas suggests a universal mechanism…
From the Sun to the Earth: The 13 May 2005 Coronal Mass Ejection
Jensen, E. A.; Owens, M. J.; Owen, C. J. +25 more
We report the results of a multi-instrument, multi-technique, coordinated study of the solar eruptive event of 13 May 2005. We discuss the resultant Earth-directed (halo) coronal mass ejection (CME), and the effects on the terrestrial space environment and upper Earth atmosphere. The interplanetary CME (ICME) impacted the Earth's magnetosphere and…
The Apparent Layered Structure of the Heliospheric Current Sheet: Multi-Spacecraft Observations
Sauvaud, J. -A.; Luhmann, J. G.; Lavraud, B. +9 more
Multiple current sheet crossings are ubiquitous features of the solar wind associated with high-beta plasma sheets, notably during the passage of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). As the HCS is being convected past near-Earth, we attempt to resolve spatial scales and temporal variations of the apparent layered structure of the HCS, including a…
Multi-Spacecraft Study of the 21 January 2005 ICME. Evidence of Current Sheet Substructure Near the Periphery of a Strongly Expanding, Fast Magnetic Cloud
Dandouras, I.; Fazakerley, A. N.; Crooker, N. U. +6 more
We examine the near-Earth Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection (ICME) apparently related to the intense Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) event of 20 January 2005. Our purpose is to contribute to the understanding of the macroscopic structure, evolution and dynamics of the solar corona and heliosphere. Using Cluster, ACE and Wind data in the solar wi…
Cluster Observations of the Magnetospheric Low-Latitude Boundary Layer and Cusp during Extreme Solar Wind and Interplanetary Magnetic Field Conditions: II. 7 November 2004 ICME and Statistical Survey
Dandouras, I.; Fazakerley, A. N.; Marghitu, O. +6 more
We present a study of the plasma properties inside and dynamics of the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL)/cusp during the ICME event on 7 November 2004 based on data from the four Cluster spacecraft. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is predominantly strongly northward, up to 50 nT, with some short-duration rotations. The observed LLBL/cusp …
Magnetospheric Cusps under Extreme Conditions: Cluster Observations and MHD Simulations Compared
Siscoe, George; Kaymaz, Zerefşan; Bogdanova, Yulia V.
MHD simulations are here applied to aid in the interpretation of three apparent cusp encounters by the Cluster 4 spacecraft in unusual places when the magnetosphere was under extreme solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions associated with the passage of magnetic clouds imbedded within fast ICMEs. At the time of each cusp enco…
Cluster Observations of the Magnetospheric Low-Latitude Boundary Layer and Cusp during Extreme Solar Wind and Interplanetary Magnetic Field Conditions: I. 10 November 2004 ICME
Dandouras, I.; Fazakerley, A. N.; Marghitu, O. +6 more
We present a study of the magnetospheric cusp response to extreme external parameters during passage of the ICME over the Earth on 10 November 2004, based on Cluster observations of the plasma properties inside the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL)/cusp regions. Two separate events are observed while Cluster is in the dawn sector, 07 - 08 h magne…