HR: 16:00h
AN: SM42E-01 INVITED     [PDF]
TI: Analysing structures and interfaces using spatially-distributed data
AU: * Dunlop, M W
EM: m.w.dunlop@rl.ac.uk
AF: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK, Didcot, OX11 0QX United Kingdom
AB: Cluster has provided fully co-ordinated, spatially-distributed data for the first time. A number of multi-spacecraft techniques which measure, for example, boundary orientation, thickness and motion, and deviation from planarity, have been developed. In addition, the data allows the electric current structures, both within the boundary layers and associated with other structure, to be probed. We investigate and compare boundary crossings arising from spacecraft encounters with discontinuities in the solar wind, the bow shock, the magnetopause and the magnetotail, which are observed by Cluster on multiple scales (ranging from 6000-100 km). Behaviour of the interfaces, such as distinguishing strong acceleration and thickness variations, can be made. Knowledge of boundary orientation and motion can accurately scale the plasma and field signatures across the boundary layer.
DE: 2109 Discontinuities
DE: 2724 Magnetopause, cusp, and boundary layers
DE: 2748 Magnetotail boundary layers
DE: 2794 Instruments and techniques
SC: SPA - Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting