Twisting of the geomagnetic tailTheory and models indicate that the IMF causes the magnetotail to produce an observable twist, predicting that the torque should bring the north lobe south of the GSM xy plane on one flank of the magnetotail, and the south lobe north of the plane on the other flank. In this paper, ISEE-3 geotail observations are compared with simultaneously made IMP 8 IMF observations supplemented by inferred IMF B(y) polarities to demonstrate the IMF-induced magnetotail twist. The results indicate that twisting is the single most important factor accounting for observations of the north lobe south of the GSM xy plane and the south lobe north of the plane. The value of the observed magnetotail twist about its aberrated axis is about 18 deg.
Document ID
19870052871
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sibeck, D. G. (California, University Los Angeles, United States)
Slavin, J. A. (California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Smith, E. J. (California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Tsurutani, B. T. (California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, United States)