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A new plasma regime in the distant geomagnetic tailObservations are reported of an extensive region of low-energy plasma particles (LEP) flowing antisunward along the ordered field lines in the lobes of the geomagnetic tail at lunar distances. The flow was detected by three suprathermal ion detectors deployed on the lunar surface during the Apollo 12, 14, and 15 missions. This particle regime is found to be similar to the 'boundary layer' and 'plasma mantle' observed at smaller geocentric distances and to an interior flow region parallel to the magnetopause in the dayside magnetosphere. It is located exterior to the plasma sheet across essentially the entire tail and adjacent to the magnetopause on both the dawn and dusk sides of the magnetosphere. Variations in the integral flux, temperature, and number density are described. It is suggested that this flow and the three similar regimes are simply connected along the inner surface of the magnetopause and are, in fact, the same phenomenon.
Document ID
19750047451
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hardy, D. A.
Hills, H. K.
Freeman, J. W.
(Rice University Houston, Tex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1975
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 2
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
75A31523
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-5911
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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