Relative Timing of Substorm Processes as Derived from Multi-Fluid/Multi-Scale Simulations : Reconnection Versus Current Disruption

Details Relative Timing of Substorm Processes as Derived from Multi-Fluid/Multi-Scale Simulations : Reconnection Versus Current Disruption Relative Timing of Substorm Processes as Derived from Multi-Fluid/Multi-Scale Simulations : Reconnection Versus Current Disruption

Dec 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008agufmsm51c..06w&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2008, abstract #SM51C-06

Mathematics

Probability

2753 Numerical Modeling, 2764 Plasma Sheet, 2790 Substorms

Scientific paper

The role of tail reconnection in initiating substorm onset remains highly controversial. Multi-fluid/multi-scale simulations with resolution of 400 km in the tail and which incorporate ion skin depth and ion cyclotron processes are used to examine the link made between auroral current intensifications, dipolarization and tail reconnection. It is shown that consistent the near-Earth neutral-line model, a thin current sheet form during the growth phase with the eventual formation of an X-line and the ejection of a plasmoid. However, these processes do not produce substorm onset, but are precursors to onset. The modeling indicates that in the wake of the plasmoid, a Y-line forms within which there is intermittent generation flux ropes that can propagate either earthward or tailward, with equal probability. Depending on the size of the earthward moving flux rope, pseudo-breakup or substorm onset occurs when the energy within the earthward moving flux rope is dissipated against the inner edge of the plasma sheet. This interaction leads to rapid (1 min) dipolarization, magnetospheric injection of energetic particles, and intensification of the nightside auroral currents that expand in local time as well as to higher latitudes. Thus current disruption at the inner edge of the plasma sheet is the direct cause of substorm onset. Ionospheric outflows and their energization with the thin current sheet play important roles in the build up of energy in the plasma sheet that eventually produces substorm onset and drives breakup.

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