Search Publications
Cluster Observations of Energy Conversion Regions in the Plasma Sheet
André, M.; Hamrin, M.; Marghitu, O. +5 more
Cluster allows for the first time a systematic examination of energy conversion, by the evaluation of the power density, E · J, with E the electric field and J the current density. Following a careful inspection of the Cluster plasma sheet data from the summer and fall of 2001, we selected 43 energy conversion regions (ECRs), out of which 26 conce…
Cluster-PEACE In-flight Calibration Status
Fazakerley, A. N.; Åsnes, A.; West, M. +5 more
We briefly summarise key aspects of our on-going in-flight calibration work for the Cluster Plasma Electron And Current Experiment (PEACE) instruments, and demonstrate the quality of moments which may be achieved, by comparisons with measurements from other Cluster instruments. As improved calibrations are generated, data in scientific units which…
Cluster Hot Flow Anomaly Observations During Solar Cycle Minimum
Dandouras, I.; Facskó, G.; Erdős, G. +1 more
Hot flow anomalies (HFAs) are studied using observations of the FGM magnetometer and the CIS plasma detector aboard the four Cluster spacecraft. Previously we studied several specific features of tangential discontinuities on the basis of Cluster measurements in February-April 2003 and discovered a new condition for forming HFAs that is the solar …
On the Growth of Mirror Mode Waves in the Magnetosheath Based on Cluster Observations
Dandouras, I.; Erdős, G.; Tátrallyay, M. +1 more
The evolution of mirror mode waves was investigated in the magnetosheath based on Cluster magnetic field and plasma measurements during four inbound passes in January-February 2006 when the separation between the spacecraft was about 10,000 km. The growth rates estimated from the amplitudes of the field fluctuations (mainly quasi-sinusoidal oscill…
Wave Number Spectra in the Solar Wind, the Foreshock, and the Magnetosheath
Glassmeier, K. -H.; Goldstein, M. L.; Narita, Y. +2 more
The three-component model of magnetic field fluctuations is applied to the analysis of the wave number spectra to study fluctuations in the solar wind, the foreshock, and the magnetosheath. The analysis exhibits a transition of the dominant fluctuation component from the solar wind to the magnetosheath, from the two-dimensional to the Alfvénic in …
The Cluster Mission: Space Plasma in Three Dimensions
Escoubet, C. P.; Goldstein, M. L.; Taylor, M. G. G. T. +2 more
At the time of writing, Cluster is approaching 8 years of successful operation and continues to fulfill, if not exceed its scientific objectives. After a nominal mission lifetime of 2 years Cluster currently in its extended mission phase, up to June 2009, with a further extension request submitted for a further 3.5 years. The primary goals of the …
Spatial and Temporal Structures in the Vicinity of the Earth's Tail Magnetic Separatrix Cluster Observations
Zelenyi, L. M.; Sauvaud, J. -A.; Grigorenko, E. E. +1 more
The processes of non-adiabatic particle acceleration occurring in the vicinity of magnetic neutral lines produce highly accelerated (up to 2,500 km/s) field-aligned ion beams. Ion beams are usually observed in the Plasma Sheet Boundary Layer (PSBL) i.e. in the vicinity of magnetic separatrix between open and closed magnetic field lines. These acce…
STAFF Instrument Products Distributed Through the Cluster Active Archive
Maksimovic, M.; de Conchy, Y.; Bouzid, V. +5 more
Cluster Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Field Fluctuations (STAFF) high resolution data that are available at Cluster Active Archive (CAA) comprise two main parts, corresponding to data issued from the two onboard data analysers. The STAFF waveform analyser (STAFF-SC) provides data in the frequency range 0.1-10 Hz or 0.1-180 Hz, depending on the space…
QSAS, QM Science Analysis Software
Allen, A. J.
QSAS is a powerful tool for manipulating, combining and displaying multi-spacecraft and multi-instrument data. It uses the CAA metadata to its fullest potential to allow efficient handling of units and reference frames. It can also save and restore calculations and plot designs for reuse on different data intervals.
Perspectives Gained from a Combination of Polar, Cluster and ISEE Energetic Particle Measurements in the Dayside Cusp
Fritz, T. A.
Energetic particles are a consistent and common feature of the high-altitude dayside cusp. Observing these particles in a region where they cannot be stably trapped is one of the most striking findings of the Polar and Cluster satellites. The source of these cusp energetic particles (CEP) has centered on the possible role of the bow shock, leakage…