Abstract
We present the first observations by Polar and 1995-034 of the mid-altitude cusp. On May 29, 1996, the Polar and 1995-034 spacecraft crossed into an extended cusp region. The region was characterized by intense fluxes of solar wind like ions in the energy range 1-10 keV that had angular distributions that showed evidence of flows and trapping. The ion composition data are combined with energetic proton observations from Polar and plasma observations from 1995-034 and DMSP satellites to examine the spatial and temporal extent and plasma characteristics of the cusp during a persistent northward IMF condition. The composition data is consistent with expected solar wind composition with a source temperature of ∼1.25 × 106 K. The combined spacecraft observations show an extended cusp-like region, probably produced by northward IMF.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 97GL01291 |
Pages (from-to) | 1475-1478 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1997 |