Interplanetary and Magnetospheric Flux Ropes

Splinter Group - Chairs: Volker Bothmer (University of Kiel) & Chris Owen (Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London).

This session will address the origin, structure and dynamics of interplanetary and magnetospheric flux ropes. We expect that the discussions will be driven by the interests of the participants, but suggested areas of interest include:

Solar origin of interplanetary flux ropes;

Theory of flux rope structure, evolution;

Flux rope connection/disconnection to/from the Sun;

In-situ plasma, particle and magnetic field signatures;

The formation of dayside flux ropes through multiple reconnection at the magnetopause;

The evolution of tail flux ropes/plasmoids;

The magnetic connection of magnetospheric flux ropes to ionosphere/IMF;

Current closure in flux ropes;

Outstanding questions and how to solve them (which data analysis/modelling efforts are needed?).

We are particularly keen to foster interactions between theorists/modellers and the observationalists.

The session chairs are also keen to receive early suggestions for particular interest areas or events for study so that these can be broadcast widely in advance of the workshop. Also, please let them know if you are interested in participating in this session.

Suggested interplanetary flux rope study events for the ISTP WS:

No. Date Infos, some references as guidelines (of course not complete)

1 Oct. 18-20, 1995 http://iacg.gsfc.nasa.gov/iacg/campaign_1/abstracts.html
2 Dec. 24-25, 1996 ISTP event list, http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/scripts/sw-cat/Catalog_events.html
http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/istp/xmas_cloud.html
Lepping et al., Proc. 31st ESLAB Symposium, ESA-SP 415, 163-170, 1997
Mazur et al. GRL, 14, 2521-2521, 1998
Bothmer et al., Proc. 31st ESLAB Symposium, ESA-SP 415, 207-216, 1997
3 Jan 10-11, 1997 Sun-Earth Connection Event, http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/events/
Burlaga et al., JGR, 103, 277-285, 1998
4 May 15-16, 1997 Sun-Earth Connection Event, http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/events/
http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/eit/cme/may12/
Baker and Pulkkinen, Proc. 31st ESLAB Symposium, ESA-SP 415, 199-206, 1997

WIND Overview plots can be found at: http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/kp_plots/menu_kpplots.html
More data at: http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/

For more infos see also the book on CMEs (AGU, Geophys. Monogr. 99, Eds. Crooker, Joselyn, Feynman, 1997) and the GRL special issue on the ISTP programme in GRL No. 14 and 15 this year.

A list of magnetotail flux ropes observed early in the GEOTAIL mission can be found in Lepping et al. (GRL, 22, 1193-6, 1995). However, if anyone has a more up-to-date list, or particular events they would like to promote, please contact Chris Owen.

The session chairs welcome advance contributions and suggestions for the session. (E-mail: Chris Owen and Volker Bothmer)

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