Density irregularities in the plasmasphere boundary layer: Cluster observations in the dusk sector
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Authors
Décréau, P.M.E.
Le Guirriec, E.
Rauch, J.L.
Trotignon, J.G.
Canu, P.
Darrouzet, F.
Lemaire, J.
Masson, A.
Sedgemore, F.
André, M.
Discipline
Physical sciences
Subject
Boundary layers
Dynamics
Magnetosphere
Orbits
Spacecraft
Cluster observations
Density irregularities
Dusk sector
Plasmasphere boundary layer
Plasma density
Audience
Scientific
Date
2005Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
We present observations of plasma density structures crossed by the CLUSTER spacecraft constellation near orbit perigee, with the spacecraft located in the vicinity of the plasmapause boundary. Although the constellation is not arranged as a perfect tetrahedron, the four-point measurements reveal interesting properties of density structures, unknown before the four-points in situ observations from the CLUSTER mission. The set of plasma density profiles shown are derived from the EFW and WHISPER instruments observations in the dusk sector of the plasmasphere region. They yield new insights into: (i) comparative along and cross-field dimensions; (ii) the dynamics of small-scale structures. They illustrate the great opportunity offered by the CLUSTER mission to resolve new challenges in magnetospheric physics, including a clearer understanding of the physics involved in the dynamics of the plasmasphere and the formation of its outer boundary: the plasmapause.
Citation
Décréau, P.M.E.; Le Guirriec, E.; Rauch, J.L.; Trotignon, J.G.; Canu, P.; Darrouzet, F.; Lemaire, J.; Masson, A.; Sedgemore, F.; André, M. (2005). Density irregularities in the plasmasphere boundary layer: Cluster observations in the dusk sector. , Advances in Space Research, Vol. 36, Issue 10, 1964-1969, DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2005.08.050.Identifiers
scopus: 2-s2.0-27844596236
Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng