Ion injections at auroral latitude during the March 31, 2001 magnetic storm observed by Cluster

Academic Article

Abstract

  • We present here simultaneous H+ and O+ ion dispersion signatures observed by three Cluster spacecraft above the northern auroral zone. These observations occur during strong geomagnetic activity (Kp = 9) and are consistent with a time‐of‐flight (TOF) dispersion of the ions. Using the TOF dispersion of H+ and O+ and bouncing properties of H+, we show that the ions originate from a distant source located near 80 Re down tail. Our results show that the magnetotail is topographically stable to support multiple bouncing of H+ ions during a storm period. Furthermore these results could suggest that the plasmasheet H+ and O+ ions have been accelerated to the same velocity in the vicinity of a reconnection region.
  • Authors

  • Korth, A
  • Franz, M
  • Zong, QG
  • Fritz, TA
  • Sauvaud, JA
  • Reme, H
  • Dandouras, I
  • Friedel, R
  • Mouikis, Christoforos
  • Kistler, Lynn
  • Mobius, E
  • Marcucci, MF
  • Wilber, M
  • Parks, G
  • Keiling, A
  • Lundin, R
  • Daly, PW
  • Status

    Publication Date

  • October 22, 2004
  • Published In

    Digital Object Identifier (doi)

    Volume

  • 31
  • Issue

  • 20