Counter-streaming magnetosheath ions in the dayside low latitude boundary layer

Observations in the subsolar low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) during reconnection show counterstreaming suprathermal ions on rare occasions. Composition measurements for one event presented here indicate that the ions are from the magnetosheath although no similar equal energy per charge suprathermal He(2+) and H(+) populations were observed there. Acceleration of magnetosheath ions either across the magnetopause or in the LLBL followed by magnetic mirroring of the initially parallel suprathermal ions best explains these observations.