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

Detailed Reference Information
Wing & Newell 2002
Wing, S. and Newell, P.T. (2002). 2D plasma sheet ion density and temperature profiles for northward and southward IMF. Geophysical Research Letters 29: doi: 10.1029/2001GL013950. issn: 0094-8276.

We previously developed a method for inferring plasma sheet ion temperature and density from ionospheric observations. Using this method and DMSP observations for 1992, we present 2D profiles of the equatorial plasma sheet ion density and temperature for southward and northward IMF for b2i > 64¿ or Kp < ~3. During periods of northward IMF, cold dense ions can be found plentifully along the plasma sheet flanks. However, during periods of southward IMF, the presence of these cold dense ions is noticeably diminished, especially at the dusk flank where the density peak is less discernable. These cold dense ions have been previously interpreted in terms of magnetosheath ion entry into the plasma sheet. Our result suggests that any mechanism proposed to transport magnetosheath ions from dusk LLBL to the plasma sheet along the dusk flank during periods of northward IMF would have to be able to do so efficiently over a large spatial scale.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Plasma sheet, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetotail boundary layers, Magnetospheric Physics, Magnetotail, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions
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