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Statistical study on the suprathermal electrons properties around dipolarization fronts in Earth’s magnetotail

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Abstract

In order to investigate the suprathermal electron flux (>30 keV) around dipolarization fronts (DFs), we statistically studied the suprathermal electron flux variations and pitch angle distributions of hundreds of earthward propagating DFs observed by THEMIS spacecraft during its tail seasons in years 2008–2009. We focused on the electron flux variations across DFs and electron anisotropies behind DFs. We divided DF into three sectors in the equatorial plane: Dusk, central and dawn sectors. The sectors are defined according to the DF normals with respect to DF’s meridian in the equatorial plane (the symmetric line of DF). We found that events with electron flux increases and decreases behind the fronts had no particular dependence on the observation locations. In addition, there was no obvious dependence of electron anisotropy behind DF on the different sectors of DF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Space Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China

    Yue Wang, Meng Zhou & XiaoHua Deng

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  1. Yue Wang
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  2. Meng Zhou
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  3. XiaoHua Deng
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Correspondence to Meng Zhou.

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Wang, Y., Zhou, M. & Deng, X. Statistical study on the suprathermal electrons properties around dipolarization fronts in Earth’s magnetotail. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 58, 961–966 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5830-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5830-3

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