Cluster as current sheet surveyor in the magnetotail
A novel analysis technique is presented to estimate the current sheet thickness unambiguously and directly, without associating time series data with spatial structure. The technique is a combination of eigenvalue analysis and minimum variance estimator adapted to Harris current sheet geometry, a...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2013-09-01
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| Series: | Annales Geophysicae |
| Online Access: | https://www.ann-geophys.net/31/1605/2013/angeo-31-1605-2013.pdf |
| Summary: | A novel analysis technique is presented to estimate the current sheet
thickness unambiguously and directly, without associating time series data
with spatial structure. The technique is a combination of eigenvalue analysis
and minimum variance estimator adapted to Harris current sheet geometry, and
needs one-time, four-point magnetic field data as provided by the Cluster
spacecraft. Two current sheet parameters, thickness and distance to the
spacecraft, can be determined at each time step of the magnetic field
measurements. An example is shown from a Cluster magnetotail crossing under
quiet magnetospheric conditions, yielding the result that the current sheet
thickness is on the scale of the proton gyroradius. The analysis technique
can also be used to track the dynamical evolution of the current sheet
structure in three dimensions. |
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| ISSN: | 0992-7689 1432-0576 |