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Tranquille et al. 1987
Tranquille, C., Sanderson, T.R., Marsden, R.G., Wenzel, K.-P. and Smith, E.J. (1987). Properties of a large-scale interplanetary loop structure as deduced from low-energy proton anisotropy and magnetic field measurements. Journal of Geophysical Research 92: doi: 10.1029/JA092iA01p00006. issn: 0148-0227.

We present correlated particle and magnetic field measurements by the ISEE 3 spacecraft for the loop structure behind the interplanetary traveling shock event of November 12, 1978. Following the passage of the turbulent shock region, we observe strong bidirectional streaming of low-energy protons for approximately 6 hours, corresponding to a loop thickness of about 0.07 AU. This region is also characterized by a low relative variance of the magnetic field, a depressed proton intensity, and a reduction in the magnetic power spectral density. Using quasi-linear theory applied to a slab model, we derive a value of 3 AU for the mean free path during the passage of the closed loop. We infer from this observation that the proton regime associated with the loop structure is experiencing scatter-free transport and that either the length of the loop is approximately 3 AU between the sun and the earth or else the protons are being reflected at both ends of a smaller loop.

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Journal of Geophysical Research
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American Geophysical Union
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