Plasma regimes in the deep geomagnetic tail: ISEE 3

Using a lunar gravitation-assisted orbit, the ISEE-3 spacecraft remained close to and within a previously unexplored part of the distant (60--220 R/sub E/) geomagnetic tail nearly continuously from 1 January to 30 March 1983. An initial analysis of data obtained with the Los Alamos plasma electron analyzer onboard ISEE-3 reveals that all of the plasma regimes identified previously with near-earth measurements (i.e., plasma sheet, low-latitude boundary layer, plasma mantle, lobe, and magnetosheath) remain recognizable entities in the distant tail as well. However, these regimes apper to be intermingled in a more chaotic fashion than near the earth. Typical flow velocities within the plasma sheet at approx.200 R/sub E/ in this preliminary analysis are approx.500 km s/sup -1/ tailward, considerably higher than is characteristic of the near-earth plasma sheet. Earthward flow within the plasma sheet has been observed occasionally, suggesting the temporary presence of a neutral line beyond 220 R/sub E/. Strong bi-directional electron anisotropies are found throughout much of the distant plasma sheet, boundary layer, and magnetosheath.

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