2008/09/15 by S. D. Bale, Bale, S. D., F. S. Mozer +4
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph) #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #Space Physics (physics.space-ph) #astro-ph #physics.plasm-ph #physics.space-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0809.2435
4 pages
arxiv created 2008/09/15 · openalex publication_date 2008/09/15 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2024/04/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We use the Cluster EFW experiment to measure the cross-shock electric field at ten low β, quasi-perpendicular supercritical bow shock crossings on March 31, 2001. The electric field data are Lorentz-tranformed to a Normal Incidence frame (NIF), in which the incoming solar wind velocity is aligned with the shock normal. In a boundary normal coordinate system, the cross-shock (normal) electric field is integrated to obtain the cross shock potential. Using this technique, we measure the cross-shock potential at each of the four Cluster satellites and using an electric field profile averaged between the four satellites. Typical values are in the range 500-2500 volts. The cross-shock potential measurements are compared with the ion kinetic energy change across the shock. The cross-shock potential is measured to be from 23 to 236% of the ion energy change, with large variations between the four Cluster spacecraft at the same shock. These results indicate that solar wind flow through the shock is likely to be variable in time and space and resulting structure of the shock is therefore nonstationary.