Abstract
On 1 April 2001, the Polar satellite crossed a subsolar magnetopause associated with antiparallel magnetic fields. Over a width magnetosheath ion skin depths ( magnetospheric ion skin depths), perpendicular ion flows different from as well as Hall magnetic and electric field signatures were observed. At a smaller scale, the electron flow decoupled from the magnetic field near a deep minimum in the magnetic field strength. Separatrices were identified as boundaries of low frequency electric field turbulence associated with density minima and parallel electric fields. The reconnection rate was less than of the asymptotic Alfvén speed.
- Received 15 March 2002
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.015002
©2002 American Physical Society