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An active current sheet in the solar wind

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Abstract

The supersonic solar wind possesses a variety of simple small scale (<10-min observation duration) phenomena, including discontinuities1–3 and magnetic holes4,5. We report here recent AMPTE-UKS6 (Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer–UK Satellite) observations, however, which reveal a dramatic new complex structure within the solar wind flow. In the plasma and field observations of this magnetic hole/current sheet system, the layers surrounding the strong rotation in the magnetic field contain compressed and heated solar wind, an enhanced field strength and considerable wave activity. The interior region shows strong ion heating but with ambient densities and a fluctuating magnetic field which dips to low values. The bulk flow velocity inside is deflected sharply from the anti-sunward direction, but not in the direction predicted by magnetic stresses across the boundary. The structure is expanding in thickness and is relatively young. The source of momentum and energy for this event remains unclear, and could even be magnetospheric.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Theoretical Astronomy Unit, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary College, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK

    Steven J. Schwartz

  2. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, UK

    Chris P. Chaloner & David S. Hall

  3. School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QH, UK

    Peter J. Christiansen, M. Paul Gough & Andrew J. Norris

  4. Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6NT, UK

    Andrew J. Coates & Alan D. Johnstone

  5. Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, SW7 2BZ, UK

    Richard P. Rijnbeek & David J. Southwood

  6. Physics Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK

    Les J. C. Woolliscroft

Authors
  1. Steven J. Schwartz
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  2. Chris P. Chaloner
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  3. Peter J. Christiansen
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  4. Andrew J. Coates
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  5. David S. Hall
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  6. Alan D. Johnstone
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  7. M. Paul Gough
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  8. Andrew J. Norris
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  9. Richard P. Rijnbeek
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  10. David J. Southwood
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  11. Les J. C. Woolliscroft
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Schwartz, S., Chaloner, C., Christiansen, P. et al. An active current sheet in the solar wind. Nature 318, 269–271 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/318269a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/318269a0

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