Reconstruction of the magnetic connection from Mercury to the solar corona

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Ippolito ◽  
Christina Plainaki ◽  
Gaetano Zimbardo ◽  
Stefano Massetti ◽  
Anna Milillo
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Corona ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
Monte Carlo Code ◽  
Correlation Lengths ◽  
Magnetic Fluctuation ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Field Correlation ◽  
Accelerated Particles

<p>The magnetic foot point of Mercury on the solar disk has been reconstructed for selected case studies, in order to better understand the interaction between the solar corona and the planet. The transport of the magnetic field lines in the heliosphere is here evaluated with a Monte Carlo code that gives a random displacement at each step of the integration along the Parker magnetic field model. Such displacement is proportional to a “local” diffusion coefficient, which is a function of the fluctuation level and magnetic field correlation lengths. The simulation is tailored to specific events by using the observed values of solar wind velocity and magnetic fluctuation levels. Magnetic data from MAG/MESSENGER have been considered to compute the magnetic fluctuation level, while, concerning proton fluxes, FIPS/MESSENGER data has been taken into account. A number of SEP events observed on Mercury during 2011 and 2012 have been analysed, studying, for each event, the magnetic connection from Mercury to the solar corona, and the position of the active region possibly source of the accelerated particles observed.</p>

Reconstruction of the magnetic connection from Mercury to the solar corona, during events in the solar proton fluxes observed by MESSENGER

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Ippolito ◽  
Christina Plainaki ◽  
Gaetano Zimbardo ◽  
Tommaso Alberti ◽  
Stefano Massetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Corona ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Source Surface ◽  
Monte Carlo Code ◽  
Correlation Lengths ◽  
Magnetic Turbulence ◽  
Proton Fluxes ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Field Lines

<p>We present a study conducted on a number of selected events characterised by a significant increase in the solar proton fluxes measured by FIPS-MESSENGER during the period 2011-2013. For each of them, the magnetic connection between Mercury and the solar corona (Source Surface Field @2.5 R<sub>S</sub>) has been reconstructed, in order to identify the possible source of the accelerated particles on the solar surface. The transport of the magnetic field lines in the heliosphere is here evaluated with a Monte Carlo code that computes a random displacement at each step of the integration along the Parker magnetic field model. Such displacement is proportional to a “local” diffusion coefficient, which is a function of the fluctuation level and magnetic turbulence correlation lengths. The simulation is tailored to the specific events by using the observed values of solar wind velocity and magnetic fluctuation levels.</p>

Theory and observations of switchbacks’ evolution in the solar wind

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tenerani ◽  
Marco Velli ◽  
Lorenzo Matteini
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Radial Magnetic Field ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Coronal Activity ◽  
Turbulent Heating ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Radial Evolution ◽  
Field Correlation

<p>Alfvénic fluctuations represent the dominant contributions to turbulent fluctuations in the solar wind, especially, but not limited to, the fastest streams with velocity of the order of 600-700 km/s. Alfvénic fluctuations can contribute to solar wind heating and acceleration via wave pressure and turbulent heating. Observations show that such fluctuations are characterized by a nearly constant magnetic field amplitude, a condition which remains largely to be understood and that may be an indication of how fluctuations evolve and relax in the expanding solar wind. Interestingly, measurements from Parker Solar Probe have shown the ubiquitous and persistent presence of the so-called switchbacks. These are magnetic field lines which are strongly perturbed to the point that they produce local inversions of the radial magnetic field. The corresponding signature of switchbacks in the velocity field is that of local enhancements in the radial speed (or jets) that display the typical velocity-magnetic field correlation that characterizes Alfvén waves propagating away from the Sun. While there is not yet a general consensus on what is the origin of switchbacks and their connection to coronal activity, a first necessary step to answer these important questions is to understand how they evolve and how long they can persist in the solar wind. Here we investigate the evolution of switchbacks. We address how their evolution is affected by parametric instabilities and the possible role of expansion, by comparing models with the observed radial evolution of the fluctuations’ amplitude. We finally discuss what are the implications of our results for models of switchback generation and related open questions.</p>

scholarly journals Velocity-Magnetic Field Correlation of Pulsars

1996 ◽  
Vol 160 ◽  
pp. 49-50
Author(s):  
Naoki Itoh ◽  
Takemi Kotouda
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Constant Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Model ◽  
Transverse Velocity ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Recent Measurement ◽  
Apparent Correlation ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Field Correlation ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Monte Carlo simulations of the evolution of pulsars are carried out in order to compare with the recent measurement of the pulsar transverse velocity by Lyne & Lorimer (1994). The new electron density distribution model of Taylor & Cordes (1993) is adopted in the simulation. Accurate pulsar orbits in the Galactic gravitational field are calculated. It is found that the constant magnetic field model of pulsars can account for the new measurement of the pulsar transverse velocity and the apparent correlation between the strength of the magnetic field and the transverse velocity of the pulsars. The present finding confirms the validity of the constant magnetic field model of pulsars and consolidates the idea that the apparent correlation between the strength of the magnetic field and the transverse velocity of the pulsars is caused by observational selection effects.

The reconnection of magnetic field lines in the solar corona

1975 ◽  
Vol 196 ◽  
pp. L129 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R., Jr. Sheeley ◽  
J. D. Bohlin ◽  
G. E. Brueckner ◽  
J. D. Purcell ◽  
V. E. Scherrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Corona ◽  
Field Lines

scholarly journals Rotation of the magnetic field in Earth's magnetosheath by bulk magnetosheath plasma flow

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 339-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Longmore ◽  
S. J. Schwartz ◽  
E. A. Lucek
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Line ◽  
Plasma Flow ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Flow Coupling ◽  
Parker Spiral ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Orientations of the observed magnetic field in Earth's dayside magnetosheath are compared with the predicted field line-draping pattern from the Kobel and Flückiger static magnetic field model. A rotation of the overall magnetosheath draping pattern with respect to the model prediction is observed. For an earthward Parker spiral, the sense of the rotation is typically clockwise for northward IMF and anticlockwise for southward IMF. The rotation is consistent with an interpretation which considers the twisting of the magnetic field lines by the bulk plasma flow in the magnetosheath. Histogram distributions describing the differences between the observed and model magnetic field clock angles in the magnetosheath confirm the existence and sense of the rotation. A statistically significant mean value of the IMF rotation in the range 5°-30° is observed in all regions of the magnetosheath, for all IMF directions, although the associated standard deviation implies large uncertainty in the determination of an accurate value for the rotation. We discuss the role of field-flow coupling effects and dayside merging on field line draping in the magnetosheath in view of the evidence presented here and that which has previously been reported by Kaymaz et al. (1992).

scholarly journals Magnetospheric magnetic field modelling for the 2011 and 2012 HST Saturn aurora campaigns – implications for auroral source regions

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 689-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Belenkaya ◽  
S. W. H. Cowley ◽  
C. J. Meredith ◽  
J. D. Nichols ◽  
V. V. Kalegaev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Current System ◽  
Outer Edge ◽  
Local Times ◽  
Closed Field ◽  
Principal Connection ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Field Lines

Abstract. A unique set of images of Saturn's northern polar UV aurora was obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2011 and 2012 at times when the Cassini spacecraft was located in the solar wind just upstream of Saturn's bow shock. This rare situation provides an opportunity to use the Kronian paraboloid magnetic field model to examine source locations of the bright auroral features by mapping them along field lines into the magnetosphere, taking account of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) measured near simultaneously by Cassini. It is found that the persistent dawn arc maps to closed field lines in the dawn to noon sector, with an equatorward edge generally located in the inner part of the ring current, typically at ~ 7 Saturn radii (RS) near dawn, and a poleward edge that maps variously between the centre of the ring current and beyond its outer edge at ~ 15 RS, depending on the latitudinal width of the arc. This location, together with a lack of response in properties to the concurrent IMF, suggests a principal connection with ring-current and nightside processes. The higher-latitude patchy auroras observed intermittently near to noon and at later local times extending towards dusk are instead found to straddle the model open–closed field boundary, thus mapping along field lines to the dayside outer magnetosphere and magnetopause. These emissions, which occur preferentially for northward IMF directions, are thus likely associated with reconnection and open-flux production at the magnetopause. One image for southward IMF also exhibits a prominent patch of very high latitude emissions extending poleward of patchy dawn arc emissions in the pre-noon sector. This is found to lie centrally within the region of open model field lines, suggesting an origin in the current system associated with lobe reconnection, similar to that observed in the terrestrial magnetosphere for northward IMF.

scholarly journals A novel weighting method for satellite magnetic data and a new global magnetic field model

2010 ◽  
Vol 181 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan W. P. Thomson ◽  
Brian Hamilton ◽  
Susan Macmillan ◽  
Sarah J. Reay
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Model ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
Weighting Method ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Global Magnetic Field

scholarly journals Electron dynamics during substorm dipolarization in Mercury's magnetosphere

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 3389-3398 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Delcourt ◽  
K. Seki ◽  
N. Terada ◽  
Y. Miyoshi
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Expansion Phase ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
High Energy Electrons ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Particle Simulations ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. We examine the nonlinear dynamics of electrons during the expansion phase of substorms at Mercury using test particle simulations. A simple model of magnetic field line dipolarization is designed by rescaling a magnetic field model of the Earth's magnetosphere. The results of the simulations demonstrate that electrons may be subjected to significant energization on the time scale (several seconds) of the magnetic field reconfiguration. In a similar manner to ions in the near-Earth's magnetosphere, it is shown that low-energy (up to several tens of eV) electrons may not conserve the second adiabatic invariant during dipolarization, which leads to clusters of bouncing particles in the innermost magnetotail. On the other hand, it is found that, because of the stretching of the magnetic field lines, high-energy electrons (several keVs and above) do not behave adiabatically and possibly experience meandering (Speiser-type) motion around the midplane. We show that dipolarization of the magnetic field lines may be responsible for significant, though transient, (a few seconds) precipitation of energetic (several keVs) electrons onto the planet's surface. Prominent injections of energetic trapped electrons toward the planet are also obtained as a result of dipolarization. These injections, however, do not exhibit short-lived temporal modulations, as observed by Mariner-10, which thus appear to follow from a different mechanism than a simple convection surge.

A satellite study of dayside auroral conjugacy

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1134-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. Vo ◽  
J. S. Murphree ◽  
D. Hearn ◽  
P. T. Newell ◽  
C.-I. Meng
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Model ◽  
Conjugate Point ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Conjugate Points ◽  
Opposite Hemisphere ◽  
The North ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Dipole Tilt

Abstract. A study of dayside auroral conjugacy has been done using the cleft/boundary layer auroral particle boundaries observed by the DMSP-F7 satellite in the southern hemisphere and the global UV auroral images taken by the Viking spacecraft in the northern hemisphere. The 22 events have been studied on the basis of an internal IGRF 1985 magnetic field; it is shown that there is a displacement of up to 4° in latitude from the conjugate points with the northern aurora appearing to be located poleward of the conjugate point. No local time dependence of the north-south auroral location difference was seen. The use of a more realistic magnetic field model for tracing field lines which incorporates the dipole tilt angle and Kp index, the Tsyganenko 1987 long model plus the IGRF 1985 internal magnetic field model, appears to organize the data better. Although with this external plus internal model some tracings did not close in the opposite hemisphere, 70% of those that did indicated satisfactory conjugacy. The study shows that the degree of auroral conjugacy is dependent upon the accuracy of the magnetic field model used to trace to the conjugate point, especially in the dayside region where the field lines can either go to the dayside magnetopause near the subsolar point or sweep all the way back to the flanks of the magnetotail. Also the discrepancy in the latitude of northern and southern aurora can be partially explained by the displacement of the neutral sheet (source region of the aurora) by the dipole tilt effect.

scholarly journals Magnetic field influence on aurorae and the Jovian plasma disk radial structure

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 973-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Belenkaya ◽  
P. A. Bespalov ◽  
S. S. Davydenko ◽  
V. V. Kalegaev
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Radial Profile ◽  
Jovian Magnetosphere ◽  
Flute Instability ◽  
Disk Structure ◽  
Auroral Emission ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Starting Conditions ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Stability

Abstract. The Jovian paraboloid magnetospheric model is applied for the investigation of the planet's auroral emission and plasma disk structure in the middle magnetosphere. Jupiter's auroral emission demonstrates the electrodynamic coupling between the ionosphere and magnetosphere. For comparison of different regions in the ionospheric level and in the magnetosphere, the paraboloid model of the global magnetospheric magnetic field is used. This model provides mapping along highly-conducting magnetic field lines. The paraboloid magnetic field model is also applied for consideration of the stability of the background plasma disk in the rotating Jupiter magnetosphere with respect to the flute perturbations. Model radial distribution of the magnetic field and experimental data on the plasma angular velocity in the middle Jovian magnetosphere are used. A dispersion relation of the plasma perturbations in the case of a perfectly conducting ionosphere is obtained. Analyzing starting conditions of a flute instability in the disk, the "threshold" radial profile of the plasma density is determined. An application of the results obtained to the known data on the Jovian plasma disk is discussed.

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