Paper#: 108
Poster #:
Session Name: Workshop 3B: M/I Coupling
Room: West Ballroom
Day: Tuesday
Time: 4:10-4:30 p.m.
Abstract Title: Electric Fields in the Vicinity of L=20 Re during Substorms
PresentSurname: McIlwain, C.E.
All Authors: C.E. McIlwain, S.S. Kerr
Abstract : Electric fields measured by the Electron Drift Instrument (EDI) on the Cluster spacecraft are studied during orbit segments which traverse the magnetotail of the Earth. These segments are often in the vicinity of L shells around 20 Re corresponding to relatively high auroral latitudes. Time periods in which substorms and associated auroral displays are observed by space and ground-based instruments are closely examined for clues as to how the high-latitude magnetic- field lines are involved in the substorm and auroral processes. The L shell values for Cluster are computed by the Cluster Science Data System using the Galperin method: follow the field line to the northern hemisphere using the full field, and compute L at that location using only the internal field. The CNES MAGLIB with IGRF95 and Tsyganenko89 is employed. The Galperin method greatly facilitates the association of Cluster data with auroral displays and other near-Earth phenomena.