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Structure of the neutral sheet in the distant tail (x=−210 R e ) in geomagnetically quiet times
Author(s) -
Nishida A.,
Yamamoto T.,
Tsuruda K.,
Hayakawa H.,
Matsuoka A.,
Kokubun S.,
Nakamura M.,
Maezawa K.
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1029/94gl01422
Subject(s) - plasma sheet , physics , current sheet , magnetic reconnection , magnetic field , field line , offset (computer science) , geophysics , astrophysics , geodesy , magnetosphere , geology , magnetohydrodynamics , quantum mechanics , computer science , programming language
We have analyzed the magnetic and the electric field data of GEOTAIL obtained in the neutral sheet of the distant tail at |x| = 210 R e e when Kp was 0 or 1. In the distant neutral sheet, B y is strongly dependent on IMF B y and when averaged in each IMF sector B y is much larger than B z . The average B z is a few times of 0.1 nT or less so that the precise value is critically dependent on the offset determination with an accuracy better than 0.1 nT. The drift velocity is directed anti‐earthward and 300 to 400 km/s. A modified cusp reconnection model is proposed in which the tail field lines that reconnect with IMF on the surface of the tail are not open but traverse the neutral sheet. Magnetic torque is transmitted from the reconnection site along these tail field lines and produce the IMF‐dependent B y component in the neutral sheet.