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Detailed Reference Information |
Sergeev, V., Runov, A., Baumjohann, W., Nakamura, R., Zhang, T.L., Volwerk, M., Balogh, A., Rème, H., Sauvaud, J.A., André, M. and Klecker, B. (2003). Current sheet flapping motion and structure observed by Cluster. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2002GL016500. issn: 0094-8276. |
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Fast vertical flapping oscillations of the plasma sheet have been observed by Cluster on September 26, 2001. The flapping motion had vertical speeds exceeding 100 km/s, an amplitude in excess of 1 RE and a quasiperiod of ~3 min. The current sheet was mostly tilted in the Y-Z plane (with the tilt sometimes exceeding 45¿). The waves had the properties of a kink mode and propagated toward the dusk flank. The flapping allowed to probe the vertical structure of the plasma sheet. Three different methods gave consistent evidence of a bifurcated structure of the cross-tail current with about half of all current concentrated in two sheets (each ~500--1000 km thick). The current density peaks at ∣Bx∣ ~ 0.5 BL, with a pronounced current density minimum and a plasma density plateau between these peaks. |
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BACKGROUND DATA FILES |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetotail, Magnetospheric Physics, Plasma sheet, Magnetospheric Physics, Plasma convection |
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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 |
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