Two point observation of high-latitude reconnection

Reconnection on the high-latitude magnetopause can produce sunward plasma how in a portion of the lobes. This plasma should precipitate into the polar cap, poleward of the locations where magnetosheath plasma is normally found. We present two point INTERBALL observations of reconnection which is qualitatively consistent with the antiparallel merging model. Reconnection creates a plasma layer about 1 R-E thick adjacent to the magnetopause (MP). Timing considerations suggest tailward motion of the reconnection site with a velocity similar to 20 km/s and a reconnection site with dimensions on the order of I R-E.