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GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 32, L18105, doi:10.1029/2005GL023811, 2005

A survey of flux transfer events observed by Cluster during strongly northward IMF

R. C. Fear

Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Dorking, UK


A. N. Fazakerley

Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Dorking, UK


C. J. Owen

Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Dorking, UK


E. A. Lucek

Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London, UK


Abstract

During Cluster's annual dayside seasons (November–June) the four spacecraft cross the magnetopause at high latitudes near local noon, and at lower latitudes further along the flanks. During these crossings, observations of flux transfer events (FTEs), a signature of transient or variable-rate magnetopause merging, are often made. We have compiled a survey of FTEs observed by Cluster in the 2002/3 dayside season. A significant number of FTEs, presented here, were observed under strongly northward IMF. Multi-spacecraft techniques enable more accurate velocities to be calculated than previously possible. The observed velocities are consistent with a long, component merging X-line emanating from the antiparallel merging site in the lobe, but require a relaxation of the antiparallel merging hypothesis to allow the X-line to extend to regions of lower shear on the flank. The velocities observed at lower latitudes are not consistent with a subsolar X-line.

Received 14 June 2005; accepted 18 August 2005; published 20 September 2005.

Index Terms: 2723 Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetic reconnection (7526, 7835); 2724 Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetopause and boundary layers; 2728 Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosheath; 2731 Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere: outer; 2784 Magnetospheric Physics: Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions.

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Citation: Fear, R. C., A. N. Fazakerley, C. J. Owen, and E. A. Lucek (2005), A survey of flux transfer events observed by Cluster during strongly northward IMF, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L18105, doi:10.1029/2005GL023811.