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Cluster observations of quasi-periodic impulsive signatures in the dayside northern lobe: High-latitude flux transfer events?We report on a series of quasi-periodic reversals in GSM B(sub Z) observed by the four Cluster spacecraft in the northern dayside lobe poleward of the cusp on 23 February 2001. During an interval of about 35 min, multiple reversals (negative to positive) in B(sub Z) of approximately 1-min duration with an approximate 8-min recurrence time were observed. The individual structures do not resemble low-latitude flux transfer events (FTE) [Russell and Elphic, 1979] but the 8-min recurrence frequency suggests that intermittent reconnection may be occurring .Measurements (appropriately lagged) of the solar wind at ACE show that the IMF was southward-oriented with a strong B(sub X) and that a modest dynamic pressure increased as the events started. The multi-point observations afforded by the Cluster spacecraft were used to infer the motion (direction and speed) of the observed magnetic field reversals. The associated currents were also calculated and they are consistent with the spatial confinement of the observed magnetic field reversals. We propose that the observed reversals are due to flux tubes reconnecting with closed field lines on the dayside. Ancillary data from the Cluster Ion Spectrometry (CIS) and Plasma Electron And Current Experiment (PEACE) instruments were used to develop a physical picture of the reversals.
Document ID
20060009467
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Thompson, S. M.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Kivelson, M. G.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Khurana, K. K.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Balogh, A.
(Imperial Coll. of Science and Technology London, United Kingdom)
Reme, H.
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Toulouse, France)
Fazakerley, A. N.
(Mullard Space Science Lab. Dorking, United Kingdom)
Kistler, L. M.
(New Hampshire Univ. Durham, NH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 24, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 109
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-12131
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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