Evidence of MLT propagation of the plasmapause inferred from THEMIS data. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bandić, Mario; Verbanac, Giuli; Pierrard, Viviane; Cho, Junghee
• Is Part Of: Journal of atmospheric and solar-terrestrial physics. Volume 161(2017)
• Page Start: 55
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Plasmapause -- Solar wind -- Geomagnetic indices -- THEMIS satellite data; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Géophysique -- Périodiques; Météorologie physique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2017.05.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-6826

Abstract

Abstract: The cross-correlation analysis is applied to the comprehensive database of THEMIS plasmapause crossings (6840 L PP s) and both solar wind parameters and geomagnetic indices (thereafter L PP indicators). We estimate MLTs of the plasmapause formation and further monitor the motion of the new plasmapause at high MLT resolution. Our results show that plasmapause is firstly formed within 23–07 MLT and then propagates around the Earth with the velocity estimated to amounts for 1.10 and 0.45 of the corotation velocity in sectors 07–15 MLT and 15–23 MLT, respectively. Two branches within 23–07 MLT are identified, one at low time lags ( T lag s) and second at high T lag s which we relate to the formation of the new plasmapause and to the propagation of the plasmapause formed one MLT-cycle before. This study can be used to improve the current understanding of the plasmapause formation and propagation. Highlights: THEMIS data show the evidence of the MLT propagation of the plasmapause (PP). Within 23–07 MLT the new PP sometimes coexist with the PP formed one MLT-cycle before. Results contribute to improve the current understanding of the PP formation.