Plasmaspheric plume analysis during the 2013 Cluster close separation campaign
Plasmaspheric plume analysis during the 2013 Cluster close separation campaign
Abstract ID#: 35241
English Abstract:
During the last Cluster close separation campaign (July-October 2013), two of the four Cluster satellites were only tens of kilometers apart, while the two others were located at a few hundreds of kilometers. This configuration offers an exceptional opportunity to analyze the plasmasphere with very high space and time resolution around the time of perigee at about 4 RE. In particular, plasmaspheric plumes were crossed by the satellites on several occasions.
This poster presents such an event on 13 July 2013 with electron density data obtained from the WHISPER instrument onboard Cluster. A plasmapause test particle simulation is used to provide a global view of the plasmasphere and plasmapause. Also, the electron density is inferred inside the plume from EMFISIS/Waves observations taken onboard the two Van Allen Probes spacecraft, which crossed the same plume and provide another view.
The initial formation and global evolution of the plume are studied using the general context and data from the satellites at their respective locations. Density irregularities are observed inside the plume. Some are very stable at only a few kilometers scale, while others persist also at larger scales. Their spatial gradient is studied as well as their motion with the help of multi-spacecraft analysis.
This poster presents such an event on 13 July 2013 with electron density data obtained from the WHISPER instrument onboard Cluster. A plasmapause test particle simulation is used to provide a global view of the plasmasphere and plasmapause. Also, the electron density is inferred inside the plume from EMFISIS/Waves observations taken onboard the two Van Allen Probes spacecraft, which crossed the same plume and provide another view.
The initial formation and global evolution of the plume are studied using the general context and data from the satellites at their respective locations. Density irregularities are observed inside the plume. Some are very stable at only a few kilometers scale, while others persist also at larger scales. Their spatial gradient is studied as well as their motion with the help of multi-spacecraft analysis.