Cluster as a wave telescope ? first results from the fluxgate magnetometer

Karl-Heinz Glassmeier (1) , U. Motschmann (2) , M. Dunlop (3) , A. Balogh (3) , M. H. Acuña (4) , C. Carr (3) , G. Musmann (1) , K.-H. Fornaçon (1) , K. Schweda (1) , J. Vogt (1) , E. Georgescu (5) , S. Buchert (6)

1 Institut für Geophysik und Meteorologie [Braunschweig]
2 Institut für Theoretische Physik
3 Space and Atmospheric Physics Group [London]
4 GSFC - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
5 MPE - Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik
6 IRF - Swedish Institute of Space Physics [Uppsala / Kiruna]

The four Cluster spacecraft provide an excellent opportunity to study spatial structures in the magnetosphere and adjacent regions. Propagating waves are amongst the interesting structures and for the first time, Cluster will allow one to measure the wave vector of low-frequency fluctuations in a space plasma. Based on a generalized minimum variance analysis wave vector estimates will be determined in the terrestrial magnetosheath and the near-Earth solar wind. The virtue and weakness of the wave telescope technique used is discussed in detail.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

Karl-Heinz Glassmeier, U. Motschmann, M. Dunlop, A. Balogh, M. H. Acuña, et al.. Cluster as a wave telescope ? first results from the fluxgate magnetometer. Annales Geophysicae, 2001, 19 (10/12), pp.1439-1447. ⟨hal-00316939⟩