Magnetotail plasma flow during substorms: A survey with Imp 6 and Imp 8 satellites

摘要: This paper presents the results of a statistical analysis substorm-associated plasma flow in sector magnetotail within (-18 R/sub E/>X/sub SM/>-35 E/; vertical-bar Y/sub SM/ vertical-bar< or =12 dZ/sub =2.5 E/). 'substorm analysis' used data from Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory instruments on Imp 6 and 8 spacecraft was keyed to substorms identified primarily magnetograms individual auroral zone stations. We find that sudden establishment enhancement persisting direction is observed at onset about one half occurring substorms. About 80 percent these changes produce tailward only 20 earthward flow. These seem more consistent with neutral line model (e.g., tearing theory) predicts near-eatth line' than rarefaction wave does not envision formation solely sheet during also repeated 'thinning previously by other authors, occurrence thinning preiodsmore » when AE index enhanced, for which there no restriction SM/. did reveal preponderance authors reported. Rather, it showed nearly equal flows, some preference flows equivalent vertical-bar<2.5 E/.« less