Magnetic turbulence at the magnetosphere solar wind interface

The magnetopause is the interface between the solar wind and the magnetosphere. Therefore, it has fundamental role in exchanges between terestrial environment and the interplanetary medium. As this medium is collisionless, the magnetic turbulence lance which is observed on this boundary is likely to be responsible for the transfers that take place through it. This can be carried out either through 'anomalous' diffusion or by triggering reconnection. This paper describes the currently known experimental properties of this turbulence, and a model to explain why if is localised on the boundary. It shows that multi-point measurements are necessary to really understand the dynamics of this region. This objective should be achieved in the near future thanks to the Cluster project, (C) Academie des sciences/Elsevier, Paris.