MMS/Cluster joint measurements at the vicinity of the plasma sheet boundary layer
Abstract
On 28th of August 2018 at 5:30 UT, MMS and Cluster were located in the magnetotail at about 16 earth radii (RE). They both suddenly crossed plasma interfaces. Located in the post midnight sector, Cluster transitioned from a cold plasma sheet to a hot plasma sheet whereas MMS, located at 4 RE duskward of Cluster, transitioned from a similar cold plasma sheet to the lobe region via a very short period in a hot plasma sheet. At 05:50 UT MMS returned to a hot plasma sheet and detected a quasi-parallel earthward flow ~ 400 km/s and increased energetic ion and electron fluxes. We use measurements from both missions during this conjunction to describe the possible macroscale evolution of the magnetotail as well as some associated kinetic processes. In particular, we analyze fast and slow non linear electrostatic waves propagating tailward which are detected in the so called electron boundary layer as well as in the hot plasma sheet. We discuss their possible generation mechanisms and link with the large scale evolution of the magnetotail. Finally, we investigate possible effects related to the dawn-dusk asymmetry of the magnetotail.
- Publication:
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EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2020
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2020EGUGA..2218357L