Current sheet structure near magnetic X-line observed by Cluster
Publication date: 11 June 2003
Authors: Runov, A. et al.
Journal: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 30
Issue: 11
Page: 33-1
Year: 2003
Copyright: American Geophysical Union
During the interval 0947-0951 UT on 1 October 2001, when Cluster was located at XGSM = -16.4 RE near ZGSM = 0 in the pre-midnight magnetotail, the Cluster barycenter crosses the neutral sheet four times. High speed proton flow, with reversal from tailward to Earthward, was detected during the crossings. Using a linear gradient/curl estimator technique we estimate current density and magnetic field curvature within the crossings. These observations exhibit the tailward passage of an X-line over the Cluster tetrahedron. These current sheet has a bifurcated structure in the regions of tailward and earthward flows and a flat and/or slightly bifurcated thin current sheet in between. A distinct quadrupolar Hall magnetic field component was observed.
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