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ISEE-1 and 2 observations of field-aligned currents in the distant midnight magnetosphereMagnetic field measurements obtained in the nightside magnetosphere by the co-orbiting ISEE-1 and 2 spacecraft have been examined for signatures of field-aligned currents (FAC). Such currents are found on the boundary of the plasma sheet both when the plasma sheet is expanding and when it is thinning. Evidence is often found for the existence of waves on the plasma sheet boundary, leading to multiple crossings of the FAC sheet. At times the boundary layer FAC sheet orientation is nearly parallel to the X-Z GSM plane, suggesting 'protrusions' of plasma sheet into the lobes. The boundary layer current polarity is, as expected, into the ionosphere in the midnight to dawn local time sector, and outward near dusk. Current sheet thicknesses and velocities are essentially independent of plasma sheet expansion or thinning, having typical values of 1500 km and 20-40 km/s respectively. Characteristic boundary layer current densities are about 10 nanoamps per square meter.
Document ID
19850059791
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Elphic, R. C.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Kelly, T. J.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Russell, C. T.
(California, University Los Angeles, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in Space Research
Volume: 5
Issue: 4 19
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
85A41942
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-25772
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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