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Correlation between continuous lobe reconnection in the mid magnetotail and substorm expansion onset

Chinese Science Bulletin volume 51, pages 2795–2804 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Data on plasma sheet crossing measured by Cluster/HIA and Cluster/FGM during the period from July to October in 2001–2003 are analyzed. Based on previous work on the characteristic features of continuous lobe reconnection (CLR) described in reference, two case studies and a statistical analysis were carried out on correlation between CLR in the mid magnetotail and substorm expansion onset for the events occurring during this period. It is found that almost all CLR events are in close connection with substorms. The beginning of CLR is almost always a few minutes ahead of substorm activities seen in the near Earth magnetotail and on the ground-based stations. This provides a clear indication that CLR is the virtual cause of substorm expansion onset during the period of continuous southward interplanetary magnetic field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China

    Zhang Hui, Pu Zuyin, Cao Xin & Fu Suiyan

  2. Center for Space Science and Applied Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, China

    Pu Zuyin & Liu Zhenxing

  3. National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    Xiao Chijie

  4. Max-Planck-Institute for Solar System Research, Katlenbury-Lindau, 37191, Germany

    A. Korth & M. Frazen

  5. Center for Atmospheric Research, UML, Lowell, MA01854, USA

    Zong Qiugong

  6. CESR/CNRS, Toulouse, F-31028, France

    H. Reme

  7. IGM, Braunschweig, D-38106, Germany

    K. H. Glassmeier

  8. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    R. Friedel & G. D. Reeves

  9. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, OX110 OX, UK

    M. W. Dunlop

Authors
  1. Zhang Hui
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  2. Pu Zuyin
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  3. Cao Xin
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  4. Fu Suiyan
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  5. Xiao Chijie
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  6. Liu Zhenxing
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  7. A. Korth
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  8. M. Frazen
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  9. Zong Qiugong
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  10. H. Reme
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  11. K. H. Glassmeier
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  12. R. Friedel
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  13. G. D. Reeves
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  14. M. W. Dunlop
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pu Zuyin.

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Zhang, H., Pu, Z., Cao, X. et al. Correlation between continuous lobe reconnection in the mid magnetotail and substorm expansion onset. CHINESE SCI BULL 51, 2795–2804 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-006-2198-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-006-2198-6

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