Observations of reverse polarity flux transfer events at the Earth's dayside magnetopause

Abstract

Observations of flux transfer events (FTEs) at the Earth's dayside magnetopause are presented which have plasma and magnetic field signatures reversed in sign from those previously reported. These FTEs are interpreted in terms of localized and transitory reconnection with the spacecraft located south of the reconnection site. They are associated with a previously reported interval of quasi-steady reconnection which is similarly located, indicating that a close physical connection exists between the two processes.