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

Detailed Reference Information
Elphic et al. 1985
Elphic, R.C., Mutch, P.A. and Russell, C.T. (1985). Obserbations of field-aligned currents at the plasma sheet boundary: An ISEE-1 and 2 survey. Geophysical Research Letters 12: doi: 10.1029/GL012i010p00631. issn: 0094-8276.

Using ISEE-1 and 2 magnetometer data we have performed a survey of field-aligned currents at the boundary of the plasmasheet between 10 and 22 Earth radii down the magnetotail. Most cases are observed as the plasma sheet expands across the spacecraft. We find that the currents are most often observed flowing earthward throughout this region of the tail; however, a fraction of the cases correspond to tailward flowing currents and these tend to be found dawnward of midnight. Toward dusk no tailward currents are found. The currents at the plasma sheet boundary should map to the high latitude boundary of the auroral zone, and consequently one might expect them to have a Region 1 polarity; just the opposite is observed. Typical sheet current densities for these cases are roughly 5 mA/m.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

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