TY - JOUR

T1 - Multi-Spacecraft Observation of a Quasi-Stationary Tail Current Sheet

AU - Апатенков, Сергей Вячеславович

AU - Брыжахина, Диана Дмитриевна

AU - Артемьев, Антон

AU - He, Xianglei

AU - Mao, Aohua

PY - 2025/8/1

Y1 - 2025/8/1

N2 - We investigate Earth's magnetotail current sheet under quiet magnetospheric conditions using Cluster satellites' observations. In contrast to the most of previous studies, where the (Formula presented.) 10 min current sheets crossings related to flapping were investigated, we consider events with duration of 30–45 min where the satellites' motion is a significant in relation to the flapping motion. Current sheet in this case study is embedded with thickness of 1.5–2 (Formula presented.) or 40–100 proton gyroradii, maximum current density is 3–4 nA/m2. The electric current calculated using curlometer method has similar value to the sum of the three contributions to the current calculated by plasma parameters (proton diamagnetic current, electron diamagnetic current, anisotropic electron current). Near the current sheet's center anisotropic electrons and diamagnetic (Formula presented.) part provide the main contribution to the total current. While ion diamagnetic (Formula presented.) part is responsible for the current far from the center.

AB - We investigate Earth's magnetotail current sheet under quiet magnetospheric conditions using Cluster satellites' observations. In contrast to the most of previous studies, where the (Formula presented.) 10 min current sheets crossings related to flapping were investigated, we consider events with duration of 30–45 min where the satellites' motion is a significant in relation to the flapping motion. Current sheet in this case study is embedded with thickness of 1.5–2 (Formula presented.) or 40–100 proton gyroradii, maximum current density is 3–4 nA/m2. The electric current calculated using curlometer method has similar value to the sum of the three contributions to the current calculated by plasma parameters (proton diamagnetic current, electron diamagnetic current, anisotropic electron current). Near the current sheet's center anisotropic electrons and diamagnetic (Formula presented.) part provide the main contribution to the total current. While ion diamagnetic (Formula presented.) part is responsible for the current far from the center.

KW - cluster

KW - current sheet

KW - magnetosphere

KW - plasma sheet

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/212181a7-ea90-3202-907a-4df43d091118/

U2 - 10.1029/2025ja033940

DO - 10.1029/2025ja033940

M3 - Article

VL - 130

JO - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

JF - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

SN - 2169-9380

IS - 8

M1 - e2025JA033940

ER -