Observational determination of the adiabatic index in the quiet time plasma sheet

An anticorrelation in the plasma density and temperature in the quiet time (AE of less than 100 nT) central plasma sheet has been demonstrated. The present results suggest that the adiabatic index is less than 1, and that earthward convecting plasma cools as it is compressed. It is pointed out that there are no observations which can presently account for the heat loss noted for the earthward convecting flux tubes of the central plasma sheet.