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On the formation and evolution of plasmoids - A survey of ISEE 3 Geotail dataThe magnetic and plasma properties of plasmoids, their evolution with distance downtail, and the effect of the direction of the IMF on the plasmoid magnetic configuration were investigated by examining the ISEE 3 magnetometer and electron plasma measurements of the 1983 ISEE 3 Geotail Mission. Both data sets were systematically examined for the presence of bipolar magnetic signatures that occur while ISEE 3 was in the plasma sheet. Results revealed 366 events consistent with this signature while ISEE was in the plasma sheet. It was found that plasmoids are characterized by high-speed plasma flow and that many of them have a well-defined magnetic core field characterized by a field strength maximum at the center of the pass through the structure. Once completely formed, plasmoids are relatively stable. It was found that the size, velocity, magnetic core strength, and Bz field amplitude of plasmoids do not depend on the distance downtail beyond -100 R(E).
Document ID
19930036993
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Moldwin, Mark B.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Hughes, W. J.
(Boston Univ. MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 97
Issue: A12
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
93A20990
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1627
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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