HR: 0800h
AN: SM21B-0380    [Abstracts]
TI: Structure and Dynamics of the Plasmapause Region: Cluster Observations
AU: * Zhou, X
EM: zhouxz@pku.edu.cn
AF: Institute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Rd., Beijing, 100871 China
AU: Zong, Q
EM: zong@bu.edu
AF: Center for Space Physics, Boston University, 725 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215 United States
AU: Pu, Z
EM: zypu@pku.edu.cn
AF: Institute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Rd., Beijing, 100871 China
AU: Shi, Q
EM: sqq@pku.edu.cn
AF: Center for Space Science and Applied Research, CAS, 1 Nanertiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100080 China
AB: The structure and dynamics of the plasmapause region, along with the plumes, are of great interest in understanding the interactions between the plasmasphere and the plasma sheet. Many attempts were made based on ground stations and single-spacecraft observations, which may have some difficulties in analyzing small-scale structures. The Cluster constellation, comprised by 4 satellites, however, provides us a new way to study the configuration of the plasmapause region in more detail. The constellation of Cluster spent around 2 hours per orbit near its perigee traversing the plasmasphere, basically in the z direction. The observed electron density can be clearly seen to be enhanced outside the plasmapause, indicating the existence of plumes in the northward and southward of the plasmasphere. The sequence of the 4 satellites crossing the plume is examined, suggesting the plume normal to be also in the z direction, which may give us a hint in understanding the plume configuration outside the equatorial plane. Also the multi-spacecraft measurements can be used to obtain the temporal and spatial distribution of the magnetic field, implying some characteristics of wave features which may play important roles in wave-particle interactions activating there.
DE: 2700 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS (6939)
DE: 2730 Magnetosphere: inner
DE: 2740 Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics
DE: 2768 Plasmasphere
DE: 2772 Plasma waves and instabilities (2471)
SC: SPA-Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005