Field-Aligned Electrons in Polar Region Observed by Cluster on 30 September 2001

Abstract

The physical process in the Earth's polar region is very complex and still needs to be further studied. Using the data from Cluster satellite measurement, an analysis on field-aligned electrons in the mid-latitude cusp on 30 September 2001 has been performed. The satellite observed a down-flowing electron event in the low-latitude boundary and a sequential up-flowing electron event in the high-latitude boundary of the cusp region. The down-flowing electron had a velocity as high as 500 km/s and a flux of 2.0 × 109 cm−2·s−1. The up-flowing electron had a velocity up to 1200 km/s and a flux of 4.9 × 109 cm−2·s−1. Both the velocity and the flux observed in this event are the maximum values of the up-flowing electrons observed by all satellites to date. The electron is the main contributor for the field-aligned current in this event. The physical mechanism is also discussed. The down-flowing electron in the low-latitude boundary of the cusp region may result from solar wind injecting during the southward IMF, and the up-flowing electrons in the high-latitude boundary of cusp may result from mirroring of the solar wind, or from the ionospheric up-flowing electrons which have been accelerated.