Magnetic field disturbances in the mid-altitude cusp

Abstract

Magnetic field disturbances and hot particles in the cusp as seen mainly by both the IMAP-3 magnetometer and PROMICS -3 spectrometer aboard the INTERBALL-AURORAL PROBE (AU) (perigee 4 Re, inclination 65 deg) are discussed. Orbits from March, 1997 are analysed accordingly. The INTERBALL-AU transits cross the middle of the cusp from low to high latitude from pre-noon to post-noon hours 11–13 MLT. Although the crossings are not exactly meridional, they reach 80–81 ILAT and permitting detection of the cusp, its subregions and their equatorward and poleward boundaries. Magnetic field disturbances are analysed for field-aligned currents (FACs) during different IMF conditions. Regions with structured forms are emphasised, in particular where a more intense current is concentrated. The following cases are compared: (a) the most intense current in the boundary cusp, adjacent to the ring current (March 7, southward IMF); (b) FACs are concentrated completely inside the cusp (March 13, southward -downward IMF) and (c) FACs with pronounced intensities equatorward from the cusp proper (March 11, duskward IMF).