Two point observation of high-latitude reconnection

Reconnection on the high-latitude magnetopause can produce sunward plasma h ow in a portion of the lobes. This plasma should precipitate into the polar cap, poleward of the locations where magnetosheath plasma is normally foun d. We present two point INTERBALL observations of reconnection which is qua litatively consistent with the antiparallel merging model. Reconnection cre ates a plasma layer about 1 R-E thick adjacent to the magnetopause (MP). Ti ming 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.