Observations of jets in the magnetosheath: first results based on CLUSTER data analysis

Abstract

The magnetosphere can be seen as a shield which protects the Earth from the impact of of the solar wind, which is a flux of charged particles originating from the Sun. Nevertheless, some of these particles penetrate the terrestrial atmosphere, and contribute to solar terrestrial events like e.g. auroras or, in extreme cases, disruption of satellite communications. It was recently discovered that the magnetosheath, i.e. the region formed at the interface between the solar wind and the magnetosphere, is the place where turbulent plasma jets are formed. This paper presents initial results of a data survey of such ion plasma jets detected in the magnetosheath in 2008. The study uses data provided by CLUSTER the magnetospheric mission of the European Space Agency (ESA).