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A multi-instrument view of tail reconnection at Saturn

A multi-instrument view of tail reconnection at Saturn
A multi-instrument view of tail reconnection at Saturn
Three instances of tail reconnection events at Saturn involving the ejection of plasmoids downtail have been reported by Jackman et al. (2007) using data from Cassini’s magnetometer (MAG). Here we show two newly discovered events, as identified in the MAG data by northward/southward turnings and intensifications of the field. We discuss these events along with the original three, with the added benefit of plasma and energetic particle data. The northward/southward turnings of the field elucidate the position of the spacecraft relative to the reconnection point and passing plasmoids, while the variability of the azimuthal and radial field components during these events indicates corresponding changes in the angular momentum of the magnetotail plasma following reconnection. Other observable effects include a reversal in flow direction of energetic particles, and the apparent evacuation of the plasma sheet following the passage of plasmoids.
0148-0227
A11213-[9 pages]
Jackman, C.M.
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Arridge, C.S.
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Krupp, N.
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Bunce, E.J.
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Mitchell, D.G.
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McAndrews, H.J
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Dougherty, M.K.
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Russell, C.T.
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Achilleos, N.
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Jones, G.H
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Coates, A.J.
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Jackman, C.M.
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Arridge, C.S.
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Krupp, N.
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Bunce, E.J.
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Mitchell, D.G.
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McAndrews, H.J
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Dougherty, M.K.
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Russell, C.T.
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Achilleos, N.
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Jones, G.H
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Coates, A.J.
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Jackman, C.M., Arridge, C.S., Krupp, N., Bunce, E.J., Mitchell, D.G., McAndrews, H.J, Dougherty, M.K., Russell, C.T., Achilleos, N., Jones, G.H and Coates, A.J. (2008) A multi-instrument view of tail reconnection at Saturn. Journal of Geophysical Research, 113 (A11), A11213-[9 pages]. (doi:10.1029/2008JA013592).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Three instances of tail reconnection events at Saturn involving the ejection of plasmoids downtail have been reported by Jackman et al. (2007) using data from Cassini’s magnetometer (MAG). Here we show two newly discovered events, as identified in the MAG data by northward/southward turnings and intensifications of the field. We discuss these events along with the original three, with the added benefit of plasma and energetic particle data. The northward/southward turnings of the field elucidate the position of the spacecraft relative to the reconnection point and passing plasmoids, while the variability of the azimuthal and radial field components during these events indicates corresponding changes in the angular momentum of the magnetotail plasma following reconnection. Other observable effects include a reversal in flow direction of energetic particles, and the apparent evacuation of the plasma sheet following the passage of plasmoids.

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Published date: 19 November 2008
Organisations: Astronomy Group

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Local EPrints ID: 358289
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/358289
ISSN: 0148-0227
PURE UUID: 8391abe2-d43f-4013-9bb3-e97e07634a9d
ORCID for C.M. Jackman: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0635-7361

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Date deposited: 08 Oct 2013 16:09
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 15:03

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Contributors

Author: C.M. Jackman ORCID iD
Author: C.S. Arridge
Author: N. Krupp
Author: E.J. Bunce
Author: D.G. Mitchell
Author: H.J McAndrews
Author: M.K. Dougherty
Author: C.T. Russell
Author: N. Achilleos
Author: G.H Jones
Author: A.J. Coates

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