Open AccessA multi‐instrument view of tail reconnection at Saturn
Author(s) -
Jackman C. M.,
Arridge C. S.,
Krupp N.,
Bunce E. J.,
Mitchell D. G.,
McAndrews H. J.,
Dougherty M. K.,
Russell C. T.,
Achilleos N.,
Jones G. H.,
Coates A. J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2008ja013592
Subject(s) - plasmoid , physics , substorm , saturn , plasma sheet , magnetosphere , plasma , magnetic reconnection , geophysics , field (mathematics) , astrophysics , current sheet , magnetohydrodynamics , planet , mathematics , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics
Three instances of tail reconnection events at Saturn involving the ejection of plasmoids downtail have been reported by Jackman et al. (2007) using data from Cassini's magnetometer (MAG). Here we show two newly discovered events, as identified in the MAG data by northward/southward turnings and intensifications of the field. We discuss these events along with the original three, with the added benefit of plasma and energetic particle data. The northward/southward turnings of the field elucidate the position of the spacecraft relative to the reconnection point and passing plasmoids, while the variability of the azimuthal and radial field components during these events indicates corresponding changes in the angular momentum of the magnetotail plasma following reconnection. Other observable effects include a reversal in flow direction of energetic particles, and the apparent evacuation of the plasma sheet following the passage of plasmoids.