Distant (200–238 Re) magnetotail lobe characteristics during quiet solar wind conditions

Abstract The distant ( X = 200–238 R e ) tail lobe average properties under quiet solar wind conditions have been determined using simultaneous ISEE -3 magnetic field and IMP -8 magnetic field and plasma observations. Under external solar wind pressuresof P ext = B 2 /8 π + N k( T e + T i ) ⩽5×10 −10 dynes cm −2 , an average tail lobe field strength of 7.1±1.2 nT and average plasma beta (8 π n K T / B 2 ) of 0.3 are determined. It is concluded that under quiet solar wind conditions, the distant tail lobes are typically dominated by the magnetic field pressure.