Quasi-steady Magnetotail Reconnection

Thomas Sotirelis
Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD

Velocity Dispersed Ion Structures observed at low altitude are interpreted as signatures of quasi-steady magnetotail reconnection. Such signatures can be found in roughly 40% of DMSP open-closed boundary crossings near midnight, and typically map 30-100 Re down the tail. VDIS are seen for all activity levels and have recently been associated with poleward boundary intensifications. The status of our knowledge in this area is reviewed and some new results presented.