EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Frank et al. 1993
Frank, L.A., Paterson, W.R. and Kivelson, M.G. (1993). Galileo observations of the motions of ion and electron plasmas in the magnetotail. Geophysical Research Letters 20: doi: 10.1029/93GL01450. issn: 0094-8276.

We report the first fully three-dimensional determinations of the bulk motions of ion and electron plasmas in Earth's magnetotail at geocentric radial distances near the lunar orbit. The two regions that are examined are the plasma sheet and the plasma mantle. The magnitudes and directions of the bulk velocities are the same for the ion and electron plasmas in the plasma mantle. However, in the plasma sheet the electron bulk speeds are often substantially greater than the ion bulk speeds. This situation arises because the component of electron flow along the magnetic field is greater than the ion parallel flow. Most of the bulk flow of the electrons is often attributable to the presence of field--aligned currents, not E¿B convection of plasmas. Hence previously reported two-dimensional electron velocity distributions do not give a reliable determination of mass transport and convection in the plasma sheet at these distances in the magnetotail. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1993

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetotail, Magnetospheric Physics, Plasma convection, Magnetospheric Physics, Plasma sheet
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit