scholarly journals Mass-loading, pile-up, and mirror-mode waves at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Volwerk ◽  
I. Richter ◽  
B. Tsurutani ◽  
C. Götz ◽  
K. Altwegg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Cometary Nucleus ◽  
Ion Density ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Solar Wind Magnetic Field ◽  
Mirror Mode ◽  
Collisional Ionization ◽  
Comet 67P

Abstract. The data from all Rosetta plasma consortium instruments and from the ROSINA COPS instrument are used to study the interaction of the solar wind with the outgassing cometary nucleus of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. During 6 and 7 June 2015, the interaction was first dominated by an increase in the solar wind dynamic pressure, caused by a higher solar wind ion density. This pressure compressed the draped magnetic field around the comet, and the increase in solar wind electrons enhanced the ionization of the outflow gas through collisional ionization. The new ions are picked up by the solar wind magnetic field, and create a ring/ring-beam distribution, which, in a high-β plasma, is unstable for mirror mode wave generation. Two different kinds of mirror modes are observed: one of small size generated by locally ionized water and one of large size generated by ionization and pick-up farther away from the comet.

scholarly journals Cometary ion dynamics observed in the close vicinity of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko during the intermediate activity period

2018 ◽  
Vol 613 ◽  
pp. A57 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Berčič ◽  
E. Behar ◽  
H. Nilsson ◽  
G. Nicolaou ◽  
G. Stenberg Wieser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Ion Density ◽  
Ion Flow ◽  
Velocity Distribution Functions ◽  
Comet 67P

Aims. Cometary ions are constantly produced in the coma, and once produced they are accelerated and eventually escape the coma. We describe and interpret the dynamics of the cometary ion flow, of an intermediate active comet, very close to the nucleus and in the terminator plane. Methods. We analysed in situ ion and magnetic field measurements, and characterise the velocity distribution functions (mostly using plasma moments). We propose a statistical approach over a period of one month. Results. On average, two populations were observed, separated in phase space. The motion of the first is governed by its interaction with the solar wind farther upstream, while the second one is accelerated in the inner coma and displays characteristics compatible with an ambipolar electric field. Both populations display a consistent anti-sunward velocity component. Conclusions. Cometary ions born in different regions of the coma are seen close to the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko with distinct motions governed in one case by the solar wind electric field and in the other case by the position relative to the nucleus. A consistent anti-sunward component is observed for all cometary ions. An asymmetry is found in the average cometary ion density in a solar wind electric field reference frame, with higher density in the negative (south) electric field hemisphere. There is no corresponding signature in the average magnetic field strength.

scholarly journals Interplanetary magnetic field rotations followed from L1 to the ground: the response of the Earth's magnetosphere as seen by multi-spacecraft and ground-based observations

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1549-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Volwerk ◽  
J. Berchem ◽  
Y. V. Bogdanova ◽  
O. D. Constantinescu ◽  
M. W. Dunlop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Solar Wind Magnetic Field ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
High Dynamic ◽  
First Time ◽  
Current Systems ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. A study of the interaction of solar wind magnetic field rotations with the Earth's magnetosphere is performed. For this event there is, for the first time, a full coverage over the dayside magnetosphere with multiple (multi)spacecraft missions from dawn to dusk, combined with ground magnetometers, radar and an auroral camera, this gives a unique coverage of the response of the Earth's magnetosphere. After a long period of southward IMF Bz and high dynamic pressure of the solar wind, the Earth's magnetosphere is eroded and compressed and reacts quickly to the turning of the magnetic field. We use data from the solar wind monitors ACE and Wind and from magnetospheric missions Cluster, THEMIS, DoubleStar and Geotail to investigate the behaviour of the magnetic rotations as they move through the bow shock and magnetosheath. The response of the magnetosphere is investigated through ground magnetometers and auroral keograms. It is found that the solar wind magnetic field drapes over the magnetopause, while still co-moving with the plasma flow at the flanks. The magnetopause reacts quickly to IMF Bz changes, setting up field aligned currents, poleward moving aurorae and strong ionospheric convection. Timing of the structures between the solar wind, magnetosheath and the ground shows that the advection time of the structures, using the solar wind velocity, correlates well with the timing differences between the spacecraft. The reaction time of the magnetopause and the ionospheric current systems to changes in the magnetosheath Bz seem to be almost immediate, allowing for the advection of the structure measured by the spacecraft closest to the magnetopause.

A two-spacecraft study of Mars induced magnetosphere's response to upstream conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Stergiopoulou ◽  
Niklas Edberg ◽  
David Andrews ◽  
Beatriz Sánchez-Cano
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Local Magnetic Field ◽  
Mars Atmosphere ◽  
Solar Wind Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Field Magnitude ◽  
Induced Field ◽  
The Imf

<p>We investigate the effects of the upstream solar wind magnetic field on the Martian induced magnetosphere. This is a two-spacecraft study, for which we use Mars Express (MEX) magnetic field magnitude data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) instrument and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) measurements and solar wind density and velocity from the magnetometer (MAG) and the Solar Wind Ion Analyzer (SWIA) on board Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN), from November 2014 to November 2018. Equally temporally spaced echoes appear in MARSIS' ionograms from which the electron cyclotron frequency and eventually the magnitude of the local magnetic field can be calculated. At the same time solar wind magnetic field data and solar wind parameters from MAG and SWIA respectively are utilized, providing the solar wind input to the Martian system. We make real time comparisons of the IMF and the induced magnetic field in the environment of Mars and we test the ratio B<sub>(MEX)</sub> /B<sub>(MAVEN)</sub>  against various parameters such as the solar wind dynamic pressure, velocity, density, Mach number as well as the Martian seasons, latitudes and heliocentric distances. Additionally, we search for disturbances in IMF which then can be traced in the induced field ultimately revealing the response time of the induced magnetosphere to the solar wind behaviour. <br />MEX and MAVEN measurements combined allow us to investigate the response of the Martian induced magnetosphere to the solar wind magnetic field. Real time comparisons of the IMF and the induced field could help us understand the mechanisms controlling the structure of the Martian induced magnetosphere. </p>

Space weather at Mercury as observed by the THEMIS telescope from Earth

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda Dósa ◽  
Valeria Mangano ◽  
Anna Milillo ◽  
Stefano Massetti ◽  
Zsofia Bebesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Magnetic Field Strength ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Angular Distance ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Solar Wind Magnetic Field

<p>The dynamic changes of Mercury’s Na exosphere are investigated here, in relation to space weather conditions. Sodium plays a special role in Mercury’s exosphere: due to its strong resonance D lines at 5890-95Å it has been observed and monitored by Earth-based telescopes for decades. Different and highly variable patterns of Na-emission have been identified. In addition to the release processes already studied extensively in the past, we aim here to investigate the following factors more in detail: the distance to the Sun, position in relation to the ecliptic plane and solar wind magnetic field strength and direction. In order to better investigate the relationship of these factors, we have studied the intensity of Na-emission as a function of solar wind dynamic pressure and TAA of Mercury by means of the extended dataset images collected from 2009 to 2013 by Earth-based observations performed at the THEMIS solar telescope. Solar wind velocity and density values are propagated with the magnetic lasso method to the position of Mercury from nearby space probes and compared with Na emission intensity. Data of either ACE or one of the two STEREO spacecraft were used, depending on which spacecraft had a smaller angular distance to Mercury. Single cases are studied qualitatively, and a longer-term quantitative comparison is shown, including further parameters (solar wind magnetic field strength and direction, TAA).</p>

scholarly journals Cluster observations of sudden impulses in the magnetotail caused by interplanetary shocks and pressure increases

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 609-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. J. Huttunen ◽  
J. Slavin ◽  
M. Collier ◽  
H. E. J. Koskinen ◽  
A. Szabo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Solar Wind Speed ◽  
Interplanetary Shock ◽  
Wind Pressure ◽  
Shock Propagation ◽  
Interplanetary Shocks ◽  
Maximum Variance ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Sudden impulses (SI) in the tail lobe magnetic field associated with solar wind pressure enhancements are investigated using measurements from Cluster. The magnetic field components during the SIs change in a manner consistent with the assumption that an antisunward moving lateral pressure enhancement compresses the magnetotail axisymmetrically. We found that the maximum variance SI unit vectors were nearly aligned with the associated interplanetary shock normals. For two of the tail lobe SI events during which Cluster was located close to the tail boundary, Cluster observed the inward moving magnetopause. During both events, the spacecraft location changed from the lobe to the magnetospheric boundary layer. During the event on 6 November 2001 the magnetopause was compressed past Cluster. We applied the 2-D Cartesian model developed by collier98 in which a vacuum uniform tail lobe magnetic field is compressed by a step-like pressure increase. The model underestimates the compression of the magnetic field, but it fits the magnetic field maximum variance component well. For events for which we could determine the shock normal orientation, the differences between the observed and calculated shock propagation times from the location of WIND/Geotail to the location of Cluster were small. The propagation speeds of the SIs between the Cluster spacecraft were comparable to the solar wind speed. Our results suggest that the observed tail lobe SIs are due to lateral increases in solar wind dynamic pressure outside the magnetotail boundary.

Tsallis Distribution Functions in the Solar Wind: Magnetic Field and Velocity Observations

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard F. Burlaga ◽  
Adolfo F. Viñas ◽  
Sumiyoshi Abe ◽  
Hans Herrmann ◽  
Piero Quarati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Solar Wind Magnetic Field ◽  
Tsallis Distribution

scholarly journals Magnetometer in-flight offset accuracy for the BepiColombo spacecraft

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 823-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schmid ◽  
Ferdinand Plaschke ◽  
Yasuhito Narita ◽  
Daniel Heyner ◽  
Johannes Z. D. Mieth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Method Performance ◽  
Mode Method ◽  
Magnetometer Data ◽  
Mirror Mode ◽  
Fluctuation Method

Abstract. Recently the two-spacecraft mission BepiColombo launched to explore the plasma and magnetic field environment of Mercury. Both spacecraft, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO, also referred to as Mio), are equipped with fluxgate magnetometers, which have proven to be well-suited to measure the magnetic field in space with high precision. Nevertheless, accurate magnetic field measurements require proper in-flight calibration. In particular the magnetometer offset, which relates relative fluxgate readings into an absolute value, needs to be determined with high accuracy. Usually, the offsets are evaluated from observations of Alfvénic fluctuations in the pristine solar wind, if those are available. An alternative offset determination method, which is based on the observation of highly compressional fluctuations instead of incompressible Alfvénic fluctuations, is the so-called mirror mode technique. To evaluate the method performance in the Hermean environment, we analyze four years of MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEophysics and Ranging) magnetometer data, which are calibrated by the Alfvénic fluctuation method, and compare it with the accuracy and error of the offsets determined by the mirror mode method in different plasma environments around Mercury. We show that the mirror mode method yields the same offset estimates and thereby confirms its applicability. Furthermore, we evaluate the spacecraft observation time within different regions necessary to obtain reliable offset estimates. Although the lowest percentage of strong compressional fluctuations are observed in the solar wind, this region is most suitable for an accurate offset determination with the mirror mode method. 132 h of solar wind data are sufficient to determine the offset to within 0.5 nT, while thousands of hours are necessary to reach this accuracy in the magnetosheath or within the magnetosphere. We conclude that in the solar wind the mirror mode method might be a good complementary approach to the Alfvénic fluctuation method to determine the (spin-axis) offset of the Mio magnetometer.

scholarly journals Effect of geomagnetic activity, solar wind and parameters of interplanetary magnetic field on regularities in intermittency of Pi2 geomagnetic pulsations

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Надежда Куражковская ◽  
Nadezhda Kurazhkovskaya ◽  
Борис Клайн ◽  
Boris Klain
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Geomagnetic Activity ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Cumulative Distribution ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Geomagnetic Pulsations ◽  
Magnetospheric Substorms ◽  
Pi2 Pulsations

We present the results of investigation of the influence of geomagnetic activity, solar wind and parameters of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on properties of the intermittency of midlatitude burst series of Pi2 geomagnetic pulsations observed during magnetospheric substorms on the nightside (substorm Pi2) and in the absence of these phenomena (nonsub-storm Pi2). We considered the index α as a main characteristic of intermittency of substorm and nonsubstorm Pi2 pulsations. The index α characterizes the slope of the cumulative distribution function of Pi2 burst amplitudes. The study indicated that the value and dynamics of the index α varies depending on the planetary geomagnetic activity, auroral activity and the intensity of magnetospheric ring currents. In addition, the forms of dependences of the index α on the density n, velocity V, dynamic pressure Pd of the solar wind and IMF Bx-component are different. The behavior of the index α depending on the module of B, By- and Bz-components is similar. We found some critical values of V, Pd, B, By- and Bz-components, after reaching of which the turbulence of the magnetotail plasma during substorm development is decreased. The revealed patterns of the intermittency of Pi2 pulsations can be used for qualitative assessment of turbulence level in the magnetotail plasma depending on changing interplanetary conditions.

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