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GEOTAIL observations on the reconnection process in the distant tail in geomagnetically active times
Author(s) -
Nishida A.,
Mukai T.,
Yamamoto T.,
Saito Y.,
Kokubun S.
Publication year - 1995
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 - 10.1029/95gl02420
Subject(s) - magnetic reconnection , field line , physics , convection , geophysics , field (mathematics) , plasma , astrophysics , mechanics , nuclear physics , mathematics , pure mathematics
A statistical study is made on the reconnection process in the distant tail by using the GEOTAIL observations at x≈ −150 Re and −95 Re in geomagnetically active times with Kp≥3. Occurrence frequencies of various combinations of the field polarity and the convection direction suggest that at least 75% of the reconnection of open field lines occurs inside 150 Re and at least 39% occurs inside 95 Re. At 150 Re the convection of closed field lines constituting the viscous‐like cell is at most 25% of the convection generated by the reconnection of open field lines. The reconnection rate of open field lines varies across the tail and is a few times higher near the tail axis than at the flanks.