Submitting Campus

Daytona Beach

Department

Physical Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

12-20-2003

Abstract/Description

We have analysed high-resolution Cluster magnetic field data during three high-altitude cusp crossings in 2001 and 2002. The Cluster separations for these crossings varied between 100 and 600 km and therefore provided an unique opportunity to study wave properties at different length scales. In the cusp Cluster sees frequent intervals of magnetic field fluctuations with clear peaks in power close to the local ion cyclotron frequency, and both left- and right-handed polarisations. At large separations the power seen at different spacecraft can differ by orders of magnitude. For smaller separations, the power seen at the four spacecraft agrees better but still shows some differences. For all separations there was no significant correlation between the signals seen at different spacecraft, indicative of very local structure. The origin of the waves appears to lie in highly filamented sheared plasma flows present in the cusp.

Publication Title

Geophysical Research Letters

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL018594

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Additional Information

Dr. Nykyri was not affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the time this paper was published.

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