First Reconnected Flux Tubes in the Near-Earth Tail

Following the onset of reconnection, the first reconnecting flux tubes move away from the reconnection site creating an over-dense region in front of their leading edge, with a low density region lagging behind. The initial front observed at the magnetic equator has a fairly well distinguishable magnetic signature, which in space observation constitute a sub category of a broader group classified as magnetic pile-up events (or, alternatively, as dipolarization events). The first reconnecting flux tubes at the magnetic equator do not form a classic shock, but are associated with lower hybrid drift instabilities and whistler waves. As has been shown in work by others, the first reconnecting flux tubes are associated with strong dissipation, especially ion dissipation. In the high density region, the electrons and ions are decelerated and redirected perpendicular to the ejected exhaust. Near the first reconnecting flux tubes the ions gain energy and the electrons consist of two populations, one bi-streaming and the other more energetic (warmer) in the perpendicular direction. One particular magnetospheric disturbance event will be presented form the THEMIS mission where good observations from ground assets exits. Aurora intensification, enhanced 30 keV electrons and ionospheric currents are associated with this event. The radar clearly demonstrate the changes in the convection pattern helping to understand the satellite observations from the THEMIS and the GOES satellites. This reconfiguration event occurs in discrete steps by separate reconnection events.