We report the first direct investigation of the spatial properties of flux transfer events (FTEs) at the Earth's dayside magnetopause. Simultaneous magnetometer and plasma data from the ISEE 1 and 2 satellites are combined to show that magnetosheath FTEs can have a scale size of order an Earth radius in the magnetopause normal direction. We confirm that the magnetic field within the events appears to be twisted, this twisting corresponding to a core field‐aligned current of magnitude a few × 10 5 A. We also show evidence for plasma vorticity in FTEs. The transverse flow and field perturbations accompanying the three events studied obey approximately the Walén relation for a propagating Alfvén wave.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Saunders et al. (1984) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: