Plasmaspheric plumes: CRRES observations of enhanced density beyond the plasmapause

Moldwin, M. B.; Howard, J.; Sanny, Jeff; Bocchicchio, J. D.; Rassoul, H. K.; Anderson, R. R.

doi:10.1029/2003ja010320

Cited by 60 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Broad plumes, by definition occurring at large L only, have low densities. Such results are in agreement with previous studies, especially with the CRRES study by Moldwin et al (2004) concerning the L−MLT distribution and geomagnetic indices results. An early OGO 5 study also found that "detached plasma regions", now understood to be plumes, are mostly observed in the afternoon sector (Chappell, 1974).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…We obtain 782 plume crossings, which correspond to 15% of the plasmasphere passes with data (5222 passes). This is smaller as compared to other studies: Moldwin et al (2004) found a proportion of 30% of clear plasmasphere passes with plume structures. There are three possible explanations.…”

Section: Data Selectioncontrasting

confidence: 48%

“…With 10 months of data from the satellite LANL1989-046, Ober et al (1997) found that these density structures occur at geosynchronous orbit only after extended periods of low magnetospheric activity, identified by the geomagnetic activity index K p and the midnight boundary index. CRRES plasma wave receiver density data have been used by Moldwin et al (2004) to study the distribution and properties of plasmaspheric plumes from August 1990 to October 1991. They showed that most of the plumes are observed in the noon-to-dusk local time sector after an enhancement of geomagnetic activity identified by the index K p and the disturbance storm-time index D st .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Statistical analysis of plasmaspheric plumes with Cluster/WHISPER observations

et al. 2008

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Abstract. Plasmaspheric plumes have been routinely observed by the four Cluster spacecraft. This paper presents a statistical analysis of plumes observed during five years (from 1 February 2001 to 1 February 2006) based on fourpoint measurements of the plasmasphere (outside 4 Earth radii) as it is sampled by the spacecraft in a narrow local time sector before and after perigee. Plasmaspheric plumes can be identified from electron density profiles derived from the electron plasma frequency determined by the WHISPER wave sounder onboard Cluster. As the WHISPER instrument has a limited frequency range (2-80 kHz) only plumes with densities below 80 cm −3 can be identified in this way. Their occurrence is studied as a function of several geomagnetic indices (K p , am and D st ). Their transverse equatorial size, magnetic local time distribution, L position and density variation are discussed. Plasmaspheric plumes are observed mostly for moderate K p and never for small D st . They are found mainly in the afternoon and pre-midnight MLT sectors. Comparisons are also made between the density profiles of the plumes as they are crossed on the in-and outbound legs of the orbit, before and after perigee crossing, respectively.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Data Selectioncontrasting

confidence: 48%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Statistical analysis of plasmaspheric plumes with Cluster/WHISPER observations

et al. 2008

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“…Soon after their observation, there were a number of modeling studies that suggested they were formed by dynamic sunward convection electric fields peeling away the outer layers of the plasmasphere forming the bulge and long tails towards the dayside magnetosphere (e.g., Chen and Wolf, 1972;Chen and Grewbowsky, 1978;Lemaire, 2000;Nishida, 1966). Figure 1 shows an observation of three successive orbits of the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CR-RES) in the same local-time sector, showing the appearance of density structure beyond the main plasmapause (Moldwin et al, 2004). CRRES had a 10 h orbit, so significant differences in the high-density distribution are observed from one orbit to the next as well as significant outward radial motion of the innermost plasmapause location.…”

Section: Plasmaspheric Plumementioning

confidence: 99%

The story of plumes: the development of a new conceptual framework for understanding magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling

2016

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Abstract. The name "plume" has been given to a variety of plasma structures in the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. Some plumes (such as the plasmasphere plume) represent elevated plasma density, while other plumes (such as the equatorial F region plume) represent low-density regions. Despite these differences these structures are either directly related or connected in the causal chain of plasma redistribution throughout the system. This short review defines how plumes appear in different measurements in different regions and describes how plumes can be used to understand magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. The story of the plume family helps describe the emerging conceptual framework of the flow of high-density-low-latitude ionospheric plasma into the magnetosphere and clearly shows that strong two-way coupling between ionospheric and magnetospheric dynamics occurs not only in the high-latitude auroral zone and polar cap but also through the plasmasphere. The paper briefly reviews, highlights and synthesizes previous studies that have contributed to this new understanding.

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“…Plasmaspheric plumes are large-scale density structures that are usually connected to the main body of the plasmasphere, and extend outward (e.g., Elphic et al, 1996;Ober et al, 1997;Sandel et al, 2001). Plasmaspheric plumes have been detected by in-situ and ground-based instruments (e.g., Chappell et al, 1970;Carpenter et al, 1992;Foster et al, 2002;Moldwin et al, 2004;Goldstein et al, 2004;Darrouzet et al, 2006Darrouzet et al, , 2009b. Dense (>10 cm −3 ) plasmaspheric plumes and/or cold ions at the magnetopause have been observed (Chappell, 1974;Gosling et al, 1990;McFadden et al, 2008a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global magnetospheric response to an interplanetary shock: THEMIS observations

et al. 2012

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Abstract. We investigate the global response of the geospace plasma environment to an interplanetary (IP) shock at ∼02:24 UT on 28 May 2008 from multiple THEMIS spacecraft observations in the magnetosheath (THEMIS B and C), the mid-afternoon magnetosphere (THEMIS A), and the dusk magnetosphere (THEMIS D and E). The interaction of the transmitted IP shock with the magnetosphere has global effects. Consequently, it can affect geospace plasma significantly. After interacting with the bow shock, the IP shock transmitted a fast shock and a discontinuity which propagated through the magnetosheath toward the Earth at speeds of 301 km s −1 and 137 km s −1 , respectively. THEMIS A observations indicate that the IP shock changed the properties of a plasmaspheric plume significantly. The plasmaspheric plume density increased rapidly from 10 to 100 cm −3 in 4 min and the ion distribution changed from an isotropic to a strongly anisotropic distribution. Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves observed by THEMIS A are most likely excited by the anisotropic ion distributions caused by the IP shock impact. THEMIS A, but not D or E, observed a plasmaspheric plume in the dayside magnetosphere. Multiple spacecraft observations indicate that the dawn-side edge of the plasmaspheric plume was located between THEMIS A and D (or E).

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Plasmaspheric plumes: CRRES observations of enhanced density beyond the plasmapause

Cited by 60 publications

References 26 publications

Statistical analysis of plasmaspheric plumes with Cluster/WHISPER observations

Statistical analysis of plasmaspheric plumes with Cluster/WHISPER observations

The story of plumes: the development of a new conceptual framework for understanding magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling

Global magnetospheric response to an interplanetary shock: THEMIS observations

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