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Simultaneous Observation of a Localized dB/dt Event and Magnetospheric Fast Flow Burst During a Magnetotail Reconnection Event Detected by the THEMIS Spacecraft
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  • Chigomezyo M Ngwira,
  • Yukitoshi (Toshi) Nishimura,
  • James M. Weygand,
  • Mark J. Engebretson,
  • Antti Pulkkinnen,
  • Peter Schuck
Chigomezyo M Ngwira
Catholic University of America

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Yukitoshi (Toshi) Nishimura
Boston University
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James M. Weygand
Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
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Mark J. Engebretson
Department of Physics, Augsburg University
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Antti Pulkkinnen
Heliphysics Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
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Peter Schuck
NASA/GSFC
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Abstract

On 20 December 2015, three THEMIS spacecrafts detected a nightside magnetotail reconnection event at about 04:36 UT. The spacecrafts (P5, P4, and P3) had their footprints located over North America in the near vicinity of the Gillam ground magnetometer station in Canada. Multipoint observations, both in space and from the ground, allow for an examination of the spatiotemporal characteristics of the disturbance on the ground and the associated physical drivers in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. This study shows that the geomagnetic field dB/dt localization observed at Gillam ground magnetometer site was caused by an isolated substorm onset near that location driven by a nightside magnetotail reconnection event detected by three THEMIS spacecrafts that were located near the central plasma sheet. This event represents the first observation of ground dB/dt localization that is directly linked to nightside magnetotail fast flow bursts and reconnection event.
16 Nov 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
18 Nov 2024Published in ESS Open Archive