THE CONTRIBUTION OF FLUX-TRANSFER EVENTS TO CONVECTION

It is shown from flux transfer event (FTE) occurrence statistics, obse rved as a function of MLT by the ISEE satellites, that recent 2-dimens ional analytic theories of the effects of pulsed Petschek reconnection predict FTEs to contribute between 50 and 200 kV to the total reconne ction voltage when the magnetosheath field points southward. The upper limit (200 kV) allows the possibility that FTEs provide all the antis unward transport of open field lines into the tail lobe. This range is compared with the voltages associated with series of FTEs signatures, as inferred from ground-based observations, which are in the range 10 -60 kV. We conclude that the contribution could sometimes be made by a series of single, large events; however, the voltage is often likely to be contributed by several FTEs at different MLT.