This directory contains files related to the determination of the location of
the plasmapause, using Van Allen Probes data.

The primary file herein is   rbspX_inner_plasmapause_list2.dat,   which contains
the epochs of the inner edge of the plasmasphere for the outbound and inbound
legs of each orbit for spacecraft X (A or B). The coverage is currently from
mid-September 2012 through the end of April 2016, though it is hoped that
resources will be found in the future to extend this coverage to later in the
mission.

The plasmapause determination primarily uses the L4 density files produced by
the Waves team, but also makes uses of the observed HFR spectra and the Waves
B-field spectra. The goal of this database is to mark the innermost point where
the spacecraft appears to pass into or out of the plasmasphere (i.e., it is
desired that all points inward of the marked epochs are fully and completely
within the plasmasphere). The primary criterion for this point is when the
density passes the 100 cm^-3 threshold, but the shape of the density curve
(jumps, kinks, etc.) can override this threshold for any given orbit. Where
there is uncertainty, we have tried to err on the side of ensuring that only
plasmasphere epochs are included within the marked boundaries.

An outbound and an inbound plasmapause location is specified for every orbit
within the coverage interval, with the exception of orbits for which data gaps
prevent a plasmapause determination for *both* half-orbits. Such orbits are
indicated in the gap files   rbspX_plasmapause_gap_list.txt   within this
directory.

If it was decided that the spacecraft did not exit the plasmasphere during a
given orbit, the plasmapause for each half of that orbit is marked as being
a few seconds before and after apogee for that orbit.

The final determination of all plasmapause locations was made by Craig Kletzing,
PI of the EMFISIS suite. The database is maintained by Ivar Christopher. Any
questions should be addressed to both parties.


Note that the file
 rbspa_inner_plasmapause_list__with_no-crossing_orbits_unflagged.dat
is currently an exact copy of the primary file.