Analysis of Magnetotail Flux Ropes with Strong Core Fields: ISEE 3 Observations.

DOI Web Site 34 References
  • Lepping Ronald P.
    Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Slavin James A.
    Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Hesse Michael
    Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Jones Jeff A.
    Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Szabo Adam
    Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • Analysis of Magnetotail Flux Ropes with

Search this article

Abstract

A set of nineteen specific magnetic field structures in distant (≈220 Re) ISEE 3 magnetotail plasma sheet observations are analyzed. These were initially chosen on the basis of strong central (core) fields compared to nearby lobe field strengths by Slavin et al. (1995); the selection criteria by design did not include field directional changes. This present study starts with the same set of events as Slavin et al. Further discrimination is done on the basis of how well the signatures are fit by a force-free flux rope field model. This model was earlier applied successfully to magnetotail flux ropes where GEOTAIL field data were used. In general the ISEE 3 study yields average properties for the flux ropes that are similar to those of the GEOTAIL study, which had only about half the number of events, and hence, it strongly supports that earlier study. One difference in the results of these studies, however, is the greater longitudinal spread of rope-axes in the present study, and this feature, related flux rope current systems, and other properties are discussed. The results of this study should provide rigid constraints on global models of tail current systems associated with tailward moving flux ropes related to substorms.

Journal

References(34)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top