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Posner et al. 2003
Posner, A., Liemohn, M.W. and Zurbuchen, T.H. (2003). Upstream magnetospheric ion flux tube within a magnetic cloud: Wind/STICS. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2002GL016116. issn: 0094-8276.

We present a case study of a remarkable upstream O+ and N+ ion outflow event. We present observational evidence for spatially structured outflow of these Low Charge State Heavy Ions (LCSHIs) of magnetospheric origin along a small reconnected field line region within the framework of a magnetic cloud of an ICME. From the particles' in situ 3D distribution function we conclude that in this case the interaction of the outflow with the bow shock is small. We conclude further that the gyrophases of outflowing ions at the reconnection point are randomly distributed. This leads to the formation of a flux tube with a specific geometry. In particular, the outflow reveals spatial dispersion and non-gyrotropy. This result has implications for the size of the dayside reconnection site.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Interplanetary Physics, Energetic particles, planetary, Interplanetary Physics, Ejecta, driver gases, and magnetic clouds, Magnetospheric Physics, Ring current, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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