On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshock

The terrestrial foreshock is characterised by the existence of large amplitude ultra low frequency waves. The majority of such waves are observed to be left-handed in the spacecraft frame, but are in fact intrinsically right-handed and have been identified as fast-magnetosonic waves. More ra...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J. P. Eastwood, A. Balogh, E. A. Lucek, C. Mazelle, I. Dandouras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2003-07-01
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:https://www.ann-geophys.net/21/1457/2003/angeo-21-1457-2003.pdf
_version_ 1828519361649836032
author J. P. Eastwood
A. Balogh
E. A. Lucek
C. Mazelle
I. Dandouras
author_facet J. P. Eastwood
A. Balogh
E. A. Lucek
C. Mazelle
I. Dandouras
author_sort J. P. Eastwood
collection DOAJ
description The terrestrial foreshock is characterised by the existence of large amplitude ultra low frequency waves. The majority of such waves are observed to be left-handed in the spacecraft frame, but are in fact intrinsically right-handed and have been identified as fast-magnetosonic waves. More rarely observed are waves that are right-handed in the spacecraft frame. Cluster four spacecraft observations of such waves are presented and analysed using multi-spacecraft techniques; in particular the k-filtering/wave telescope technique is used. The waves are found to be left-handed and propagating sunwards in the plasma rest frame, and are, therefore, identified as Alfvénic. The convection of the waves anti-sunward in the solar wind flow causes the observed polarisation to be reversed. Generation mechanisms are discussed.<br><br><b>Key words. </b>Interplanetary physics (MHD waves and turbulence; planetary bow shocks) – Space plasma physics (wave particle interactions)
first_indexed 2024-12-11T19:10:45Z
format Article
id doaj.art-d45de7048e9a46088ca06fe8f54bbb7a
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 0992-7689
1432-0576
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-11T19:10:45Z
publishDate 2003-07-01
publisher Copernicus Publications
record_format Article
series Annales Geophysicae
spelling doaj.art-d45de7048e9a46088ca06fe8f54bbb7a2022-12-22T00:53:47ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762003-07-01211457146510.5194/angeo-21-1457-2003On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshockJ. P. Eastwood0A. Balogh1E. A. Lucek2C. Mazelle3I. Dandouras4Space & Atmospheric Physics Group, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Rd, London SW7 2BW, UKSpace & Atmospheric Physics Group, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Rd, London SW7 2BW, UKSpace & Atmospheric Physics Group, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Rd, London SW7 2BW, UKCESR/ CNRS, 9, Avenue du Colonel Roche F-31028 Toulouse Cedex 4, FranceCESR/ CNRS, 9, Avenue du Colonel Roche F-31028 Toulouse Cedex 4, FranceThe terrestrial foreshock is characterised by the existence of large amplitude ultra low frequency waves. The majority of such waves are observed to be left-handed in the spacecraft frame, but are in fact intrinsically right-handed and have been identified as fast-magnetosonic waves. More rarely observed are waves that are right-handed in the spacecraft frame. Cluster four spacecraft observations of such waves are presented and analysed using multi-spacecraft techniques; in particular the k-filtering/wave telescope technique is used. The waves are found to be left-handed and propagating sunwards in the plasma rest frame, and are, therefore, identified as Alfvénic. The convection of the waves anti-sunward in the solar wind flow causes the observed polarisation to be reversed. Generation mechanisms are discussed.<br><br><b>Key words. </b>Interplanetary physics (MHD waves and turbulence; planetary bow shocks) – Space plasma physics (wave particle interactions)https://www.ann-geophys.net/21/1457/2003/angeo-21-1457-2003.pdf
spellingShingle J. P. Eastwood
A. Balogh
E. A. Lucek
C. Mazelle
I. Dandouras
On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshock
Annales Geophysicae
title On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshock
title_full On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshock
title_fullStr On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshock
title_full_unstemmed On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshock
title_short On the existence of Alfvén waves in the terrestrial foreshock
title_sort on the existence of alfven waves in the terrestrial foreshock
url https://www.ann-geophys.net/21/1457/2003/angeo-21-1457-2003.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT jpeastwood ontheexistenceofalfvenwavesintheterrestrialforeshock
AT abalogh ontheexistenceofalfvenwavesintheterrestrialforeshock
AT ealucek ontheexistenceofalfvenwavesintheterrestrialforeshock
AT cmazelle ontheexistenceofalfvenwavesintheterrestrialforeshock
AT idandouras ontheexistenceofalfvenwavesintheterrestrialforeshock