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Cluster observations of non–time continuous magnetosonic waves
Author(s) -
Walker Simon N.,
Demekhov Andrei G.,
Boardsen Scott A.,
Ganushkitalia Y.,
Sibeck David G.,
Balikhin Michael A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2016ja023287
Subject(s) - equator , earth's magnetic field , physics , computational physics , geophysics , proton , electron , sideband , quiet , instability , modulational instability , range (aeronautics) , atmospheric sciences , magnetic field , mechanics , microwave , latitude , astronomy , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , materials science , composite material
Equatorial magnetosonic waves are normally observed as temporally continuous sets of emissions lasting from minutes to hours. Recent observations, however, have shown that this is not always the case. Using Cluster data, this study identifies two distinct forms of these non–temporally continuous emissions. The first, referred to as rising tone emissions, are characterized by the systematic onset of wave activity at increasing proton gyroharmonic frequencies. Sets of harmonic emissions (emission elements) are observed to occur periodically in the region ±10° off the geomagnetic equator. The sweep rate of these emissions maximizes at the geomagnetic equator. In addition, the ellipticity and propagation direction also change systematically as Cluster crosses the geomagnetic equator. It is shown that the observed frequency sweep rate is unlikely to result from the sideband instability related to nonlinear trapping of suprathermal protons in the wave field. The second form of emissions is characterized by the simultaneous onset of activity across a range of harmonic frequencies. These waves are observed at irregular intervals. Their occurrence correlates with changes in the spacecraft potential, a measurement that is used as a proxy for electron density. Thus, these waves appear to be trapped within regions of localized enhancement of the electron density.