Location of Magnetic Reconnection in the Magnetotail |
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Authors: | Tsugunobu Nagai |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology, I2-5, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan |
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Abstract: | It is a crucial issue to know where magnetic reconnection takes place in the near-Earth magnetotail for substorm onsets. It
is found on the basis of Geotail observations that the factor that controls the magnetic reconnection site in the magnetotail
is the solar wind energy input. Magnetic reconnection forms close to (far from) the Earth in the magnetotail for high (low)
solar wind energy input conditions.With the early Vela spacecraft observations, it was believed that magnetic reconnection
started inside the Vela position, likely at 15 RE. The later ISEE/IRM observations put magnetic reconnection beyond 20 RE. The Vela event studies were made for highly active conditions, while the ISEE/IRM survey studies were made for moderate
or quiet conditions. The finding of the factor that controls the site of magnetic reconnection in the magnetotail resolves
the apparent discrepancy among various spacecraft results, and suggests solar cycle variation of the magnetotail reconnection
site. |
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Keywords: | magnetic reconnection magnetotail magnetosphere plasma sheet substorm |
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