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Energetic particle characteristics of magnetotail flux ropes
Author(s) -
Scholer M.,
Klecker B.,
Hovestadt D.,
Gloeckler G.,
Ipavich F. M.,
Galvin A. B.
Publication year - 1985
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/gl012i004p00191
Subject(s) - rope , physics , flux (metallurgy) , solar energetic particles , van allen probes , radius , proton , magnetic flux , spacecraft , van allen radiation belt , solar flare , geophysics , electron , magnetosphere , astrophysics , coronal mass ejection , solar wind , magnetic field , astronomy , nuclear physics , materials science , computer security , structural engineering , quantum mechanics , computer science , engineering , metallurgy
During the recent ISEE‐3 Geotail Mission three events have been identified from the magnetometer data which are consistent with a spacecraft crossing of a magnetotail flux rope. We present energetic electron and proton observations obtained by the Max‐Planck‐Institut/University of Maryland sensor system during two of the possible flux rope events. During one event remote sensing of the flux rope with energetic protons reveals that the flux rope is crossed by the spacecraft from south to north. This allows determination of the handedness of the magnetic field twist and of the flux rope velocity relative to the spacecraft. A minimal flux rope radius of 3 R E is derived. Energetic proton intensity is highest just inside of the flux rope and decreases towards the core. Energetic electrons are streaming tailward near the outer boundary indicating openess of the field lines and are isotropic through the inner part of the flux rope.