MHD simulations of the transition of magnetic reconnection from closed to open field lines

Details MHD simulations of the transition of magnetic reconnection from closed to open field lines MHD simulations of the transition of magnetic reconnection from closed to open field lines

May 1996

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996jgr...10110805h&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 101, Issue A5, p. 10805-10816

Physics

Plasma Physics

16

Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetospheric Configuration And Dynamics, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetotail, Space Plasma Physics: Magnetic Reconnection, Space Plasma Physics: Numerical Simulation Studies

Scientific paper

Two- and three-dimensional resistive MHD simulations are used to study the behavior of a dynamic magnetotail model when reconnection proceeds from closed to open field lines. For this purpose, the initial, quasi-static magnetotail configuration is set up for various lobe density values. Initiated by the increase or occurrence of anomalous resistivity, all simulations then exhibit the growth of an unstable tail mode, which leads to neutral line and plasmoid formation. The reconnection process starts in a plasma sheet region of high mass density and progresses to open field lines with much lower plasma density and much lower plasma β. At the time of transition, drastic changes of typical dynamical parameters occur, involving strongly enhanced electric fields and reconnection rates and the generation of field-aligned currents. Further, typical substorm signatures such as the dipolarization of the magnetic field in the inner regions of the magnetotail appear on very short timescales, comparable to those found in spacecraft observations. It is argued that this behavior should indeed become important during substorm evolution, in support of substorm models based on this transition.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

MHD simulations of the transition of magnetic reconnection from closed to open field lines does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with MHD simulations of the transition of magnetic reconnection from closed to open field lines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and MHD simulations of the transition of magnetic reconnection from closed to open field lines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1418577