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Simultaneous imaging of the reconnection spot in the opposite hemispheres during northward IMF
Author(s) -
Østgaard N.,
Mende S. B.,
Frey H. U.,
Sigwarth J. B.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2005gl024491
Subject(s) - magnetic reconnection , cusp (singularity) , physics , tilt (camera) , geophysics , southern hemisphere , solar wind , dipole , interplanetary magnetic field , polar , geology , astrophysics , northern hemisphere , atmospheric sciences , astronomy , magnetic field , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Cusp aurora associated with high latitude lobe reconnection was imaged simultaneously by IMAGE and Polar in the opposite hemispheres for a short time interval on September 18, 2000. These very rare images taken during strongly northward IMF and high solar wind pressure give a unique opportunity to examine the IMF and dipole tilt control of the cusp aurora and theta aurora. As suggested by theory and observations from one hemisphere, the longitudinal location of the cusp aurora is controlled by the IMF B y component, whereas the >5° poleward shift of the southern cusp aurora is attributed to the effects of the dipole tilt angle. The appearance of a non‐conjugate theta aurora can be explained by the more efficient reconnection process in the southern hemisphere due to IMF B x > 0. Imaging of auroral signatures of magnetic reconnection also demonstrates the potential to examine differences in reconnection rate in the opposite hemispheres.