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Ann. Geophys., 25, 543-555, 2007
www.ann-geophys.net/25/543/2007/
© European Geosciences Union 2007
Polar and Cluster observations of a dayside inverted-V during conjunction
J. D. Menietti1, R. A. Frahm2, A. Korth3, F. S. Mozer4, and Y. Khotyaintsev5
1University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa City, IA, USA
2Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
3Max-Planck-Institut fur Sonnensystemforschung, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany
4Space Science Lab, University of California, Berlekey, CA, USA
5Institutet fur rymdfysik (IRFU), Uppsala, Sweden
Abstract. We investigate particle and fields data during a conjunction of the Polar
and Cluster spacecraft. This conjunction occurs near the dayside cusp
boundary layer when a dayside inverted-V was observed in the particle data
of both satellites. Electron, ion, electric field, and magnetic field data
from each satellite confirm that the dayside inverted-V (DSIV) structure is
present at the location of both satellites and the electric fields persist
from the altitude of the Polar (lower) spacecraft to the altitude of the
Cluster spacecraft. We observe accelerated, precipitating electrons and
upward ions along the magnetic field. In addition, large amplitude electric
fields perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field seen by Polar and by
Cluster suggest significant parallel electric fields associated with these
events. For similar DSIV events observed by the Polar spacecraft, plasma
waves (identified as possible Alfvén waves) have been observed to
propagate in both directions along the magnetic field line. Future
conjunctions will be necessary to confirm that DSIVs are associated with
reconnection sites.
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