Publication Date:
2019-07-12
Description:
The configuration of the magnetic field in the Earth's geomagnetic tail is studied. The results in the lobe region and in the plasma sheet boundary layer region are compared. A systematic enhancement of the By component of the field is detected in the plasma sheet boundary layer with respect to the lobe; this enhancement leads to a lower rate of flaring of the magnetic field lines in the lobe with respect to the plasma sheet boundary layer. This observation is a signature of field aligned currents at the boundary. The direction of such field aligned currents agrees with the nightside region two current system.
Keywords:
GEOPHYSICS
Type:
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227); 95; 7929-793
Format:
text
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