We apply the inverse reconstruction technique based on the two-dimensional time-dependent Petschek-type reconnection model to a dual bipolar magnetic structure observed by THEMIS B probe in the Earth's magnetotail during a substorm on 22 February 2008 around 04:35 UT. The technique exploits the recorded bipolar magnetic field variation as an input and provides the reconnection electric field and the location of the X-line as an output. As a result of the technique application, we get (1) the electric field, reaching ∼1.1 mV/m at the maximum and consisting of two successive pulses with total duration of ∼6 min, and (2) the approximate X-line position located in the magnetotail between 18 and 20 RE.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4369-4377
Number of pages9
JournalAnnales Geophysicae
Volume27
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 28 Dec 2009

    Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Geology
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science

    Research areas

  • Space plasma physics (Magnetic reconnection)

ID: 52653345