Detailed analysis of the magnetotail around the near-Earth neutral line region during a substorm
Abstract
A synoptic view of Cluster FGM, CIS, EDI and PEACE observation during an isolated substorm with 30 min long flow-reversal interval which occurred at 1800 - 1830 UT on 13 September 2002 is discussed. Associated with the flow reversal, first a single thin cross-tail current sheet and then a bifurcated current sheet are observed. A clear signature of the Hall current system with a quadrupolar magnetic field is observed in the large-scale picture. Associated with this magnetic field structures, low energy field-aligned electron beams mainly directing toward the X line are observed. High resolution data of FGM and EDI further show the fine structure of the low energy electon beams near the plasma sheet-lobe boundary. It becomes much more intense in the narrower region associated with the small magnetic field disturbance. In some cases, complicated bi-directional or oppositely directed beams are observed during the flow reversal.
- Publication:
-
35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004cosp...35.3117A