On the linear mirror mode threshold in high-$β$ space plasma
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The linear threshold condition of the mirror mode including weak drift and finite Larmor radius effects is analysed and shown that it can be given to arbitrary precision in closed analytical form. Combined with observations of mirror modes in the magnetosheath it is shown that only magnetic `dips' are produced by the mirror instability. A semi-experimental (non-linear) threshold condition is derived from the data. The occasionally observed so-called `peaks' cannot be attributed to mirror modes. They result probably from nonlinear evolution of the compressive fast mode.
EPL draft, LaTex manuscript submitted to EPL, 1 figure Revised version, co-author included, title changed, discussion improved
EPL draft, LaTex manuscript submitted to EPL, 1 figure Revised version, co-author included, title changed, discussion improved