scholarly journals The mixing of interplanetary magnetic field lines: A significant transport effect in studies of the energy spectra of impulsive flares

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Mazur
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Energy Spectra ◽  
Transport Effect ◽  
Field Lines

scholarly journals Plasma convection in the magnetotail lobes: statistical results from Cluster EDI measurements

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2371-2382 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Haaland ◽  
G. Paschmann ◽  
M. Förster ◽  
J. Quinn ◽  
R. Torbert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Geomagnetic Disturbance ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Central Plasma ◽  
Strong Convection ◽  
Central Plasma Sheet ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Convection Patterns

Abstract. A major part of the plasma in the Earth's magnetotail is populated through transport of plasma from the solar wind via the magnetotail lobes. In this paper, we present a statistical study of plasma convection in the lobes for different directions of the interplanetary magnetic field and for different geomagnetic disturbance levels. The data set used in this study consists of roughly 340 000 one-minute vector measurements of the plasma convection from the Cluster Electron Drift Instrument (EDI) obtained during the period February 2001 to June 2007. The results show that both convection magnitude and direction are largely controlled by the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). For a southward IMF, there is a strong convection towards the central plasma sheet with convection velocities around 10 km s−1. During periods of northward IMF, the lobe convection is almost stagnant. A By dominated IMF causes a rotation of the convection patterns in the tail with an oppositely directed dawn-dusk component of the convection for the northern and southern lobe. Our results also show that there is an overall persistent duskward component, which is most likely a result of conductivity gradients in the footpoints of the magnetic field lines in the ionosphere.

scholarly journals O<sup>+</sup> transport in the dayside magnetosheath and its dependence on the IMF direction

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Slapak ◽  
H. Nilsson ◽  
L. G. Westerberg ◽  
R. Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Ion Flux ◽  
Opposite Hemisphere ◽  
Oxygen Ions ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Lobe Reconnection ◽  
Open Magnetic Field ◽  
The Imf

Abstract. Recent studies have shown that the escape of oxygen ions (O+) into the magnetosheath along open magnetic field lines from the terrestrial cusp and mantle is significant. We present a study of how O+ transport in the dayside magnetosheath depends on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) direction. There are clear asymmetries in the O+ flows for southward and northward IMF. The asymmetries can be understood in terms of the different magnetic topologies that arise due to differences in the location of the reconnection site, which depends on the IMF direction. During southward IMF, most of the observed magnetosheath O+ is transported downstream. In contrast, for northward IMF we observe O+ flowing both downstream and equatorward towards the opposite hemisphere. We observe evidence of dual-lobe reconnection occasionally taking place during strong northward IMF conditions, a mechanism that may trap O+ and bring it back into the magnetosphere. Its effect on the overall escape is however small: we estimate the upper limit of trapped O+ to be 5%, a small number considering that ion flux calculations are rough estimates. The total O+ escape flux is higher by about a factor of 2 during times of southward IMF, in agreement with earlier studies of O+ cusp outflow.

How does the magnetosphere go to sleep?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Moretto Jorgensen ◽  
Michael Hesse ◽  
Lutz Rastaetter ◽  
Susanne Vennerstrom ◽  
Paul Tenfjord
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Exponential Decay ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Total Field ◽  
Summer Hemisphere ◽  
Field Aligned Current ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Line Tying

&lt;p&gt;Energy and circulation in the Earth&amp;#8217;s magnetosphere and ionosphere are largely determined by conditions in the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field. When the driving from the solar wind is turned off (to a minimum), we expect the activity to die down but exactly how this happens is not known. &amp;#160;Utilizing global MHD modelling, we have addressed the questions of what constitutes the quietest state for the magnetosphere and how it is approached following a northward turning in the IMF that minimizes the driving. We observed an exponential decay with a decay time of about 1 hr in several integrated parameters related to different aspects of magnetospheric activity, including the total field-aligned current into and out of the ionosphere.&amp;#160; The time rate of change for the cessation of activity was also measured in total field aligned current estimates from the AMPERE project, adding observational support to this finding.&amp;#160; Events of distinct northward turnings of the interplanetary magnetic field were identified, with prolonged periods of stable southward driving conditions followed by northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions. A well-defined exponential decay could be identified in the total hemispheric field-aligned current following the northward turning with a generic decay constant of 0.9, corresponding to an e-folding time of 1.1 hr. A possible physical explanation for the exponential decay follows from considering what needs to happen for the convection in the magnetosphere to slow down, or stop, namely the unwinding of the field-aligned current carrying flux tubes in the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere system. A statistical analysis of the ensemble of events also reveals both a seasonal and a day/night variation in the decay parameter, with faster decay observed in the winter than in the summer hemisphere and on the nightside than on the dayside. These results can be understood in terms of stronger/weaker line tying of the ionospheric foot points of magnetospheric field lines for higher/lower conductivity.&amp;#160; Additional global modeling results with varying conductance scenarios for the ionosphere confirm this interpretation. &amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Venus's induced magnetosphere during active solar wind conditions at BepiColombo's Venus 1 flyby

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Volwerk ◽  
Beatriz Sánchez-Cano ◽  
Daniel Heyner ◽  
Sae Aizawa ◽  
Nicolas André ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Gravity Assist ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Out of the two Venus flybys that BepiColombo uses as a gravity assist manoeuvre to finally arrive at Mercury, the first took place on 15 October 2020. After passing the bow shock, the spacecraft travelled along the induced magnetotail, crossing it mainly in the YVSO-direction. In this paper, the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter Magnetometer (MPO-MAG) data are discussed, with support from three other plasma instruments: the Planetary Ion Camera (PICAM), the Mercury Electron Analyser (MEA) and the radiation monitor (BERM). Behind the bow shock crossing, the magnetic field showed a draping pattern consistent with field lines connected to the interplanetary magnetic field wrapping around the planet. This flyby showed a highly active magnetotail, with, e.g., strong flapping motions at a period of ~7 min. This activity was driven by solar wind conditions. Just before this flyby, Venus's induced magnetosphere was impacted by a stealth coronal mass ejection, of which the trailing side was still interacting with it during the flyby. This flyby is a unique opportunity to study the full length and structure of the induced magnetotail of Venus, indicating that the tail was most likely still present at about 48 Venus radii.

scholarly journals Overlapping ion structures in the mid-altitude cusp under northward IMF: signature of dual lobe reconnection?

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Pitout ◽  
C. P. Escoubet ◽  
M. G. G. T. Taylor ◽  
J. Berchem ◽  
A. P. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Closed Field ◽  
Opposite Hemisphere ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Low Energy Tail ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Lobe Reconnection ◽  
Cooling Model

Abstract. On some rare occasions, data from the Cluster Ion Spectrometer (CIS) in the mid-altitude cusp reveal overlapping ion populations under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). While the poleward part of the cusp exhibits the expected reverse dispersion due to lobe reconnection, its equatorward part shows a second ion population at higher-energy that coexists with the low energy tail of the dispersion. This second population is either dispersionless or slightly dispersed with energies increasing with increasing latitudes, indicative of lobe reconnection as well. Our analysis of a case that occurred 3 September 2002 when the IMF stayed northward for more than two hours suggests that the second population comes from the opposite hemisphere and is very likely on newly-closed field lines. We interpret this overlap of cusp populations as a clear mid-altitude signature of re-closed magnetic field lines by double lobe reconnection (reconnection in both hemispheres) under northward IMF. This interpretation is supported by modelling performed with the Cooling model and an MHD model.

A possible mechanism for <theta> aurora formation

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 698-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. V. Rezhenov ◽  
I. M. Vardavas
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Energy Spectra ◽  
System Of Equations ◽  
The Sun ◽  
High Latitudes ◽  
Plasma Sheet Boundary Layer ◽  
Interchange Instability ◽  
Field Lines

Abstract. A mechanism for the formation of <theta> aurora connected with the development of an interchange instability on the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) is suggested. The PSBL is assumed to be deep inside the region of closed magnetic field lines. A system of equations connecting currents in the ionosphere and magnetosphere is solved numerically. It is found, using realistic ionospheric and magnetospheric parameters, that in a period of 8–10 min a system of plasma bars directed to the Sun arises at high latitudes. The system of bars is about 1000 km in width and 3000 km in length and approximates the Θ aurora. The suggested mechanism allows an explanation of a number of Θ aurora features such as the appearance probability, electric field directions, energy spectra of precipitating particles, and its location.

scholarly journals Measuring the dayside reconnection rate during an interval of due northward interplanetary magnetic field

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 4243-4258 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Chisham ◽  
M. P. Freeman ◽  
I. J. Coleman ◽  
M. Pinnock ◽  
M. R. Hairston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Line Length ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Ionosphere Plasma ◽  
Reconnection Region ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
First Time

Abstract. This study presents, for the first time, detailed spatiotemporal measurements of the reconnection electric field in the Northern Hemisphere ionosphere during an extended interval of northward interplanetary magnetic field. Global convection mapping using the SuperDARN HF radar network provides global estimates of the convection electric field in the northern polar ionosphere. These are combined with measurements of the ionospheric footprint of the reconnection X-line to determine the spatiotemporal variation of the reconnection electric field along the whole X-line. The shape of the spatial variation is stable throughout the interval, although its magnitude does change with time. Consequently, the total reconnection potential along the X-line is temporally variable but its typical magnitude is consistent with the cross-polar cap potential measured by low-altitude satellite overpasses. The reconnection measurements are mapped out from the ionosphere along Tsyganenko model magnetic field lines to determine the most likely reconnection location on the lobe magnetopause. The X-line length on the lobe magnetopause is estimated to be ~6–11 RE in extent, depending on the assumptions made when determining the length of the ionospheric X-line. The reconnection electric field on the lobe magnetopause is estimated to be ~0.2mV/m in the peak reconnection region. Key words. Space plasma physics (Magnetic reconnection) – Magnetospheric physics (Magnetopause, cusp and boundary layers) – Ionosphere (Plasma convection)

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