Active current sheets near the Earth's bow shock

摘要: We present here an investigation of “active current sheets” observed by the AMPTE UK spacecraft near Earth's bow shock, concentrating on their macroscopic features and geometry. Events selected primarily flow directions which deviate substantially from Sun-Earth line show similar characteristics, including association with underlying sheet a hot central region whose direction is organized, at least in part, location relative to inferred initial intersection point between shock. This flanked “edges” which, according Rankine-Hugoniot analysis, are often fast shocks orientation consistent that expected if “bulge” shock convected past spacecraft. have found magnetosheath manifestations these events we study detail. suggest direct result disruption reformation passage interplanetary sheet, most probably tangential discontinuity.