Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufmsh21a1491s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #SH21A-1491
Physics
Plasma Physics
[2124] Interplanetary Physics / Heliopause And Solar Wind Termination, [2134] Interplanetary Physics / Interplanetary Magnetic Fields, [2152] Interplanetary Physics / Pickup Ions, [7835] Space Plasma Physics / Magnetic Reconnection
Scientific paper
We propose that magnetic reconnection at the heliopause only occurs where the interstellar magnetic field points nearly anti-parallel to the heliospheric field. By using large-scale magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the heliosphere to provide the initial conditions for kinetic simulations of heliopause (HP) reconnection we show that the energetic pickup ions downstream from the solar wind termination shock induce large diamagnetic drifts in the reconnecting plasma and stabilize non-anti-parallel reconnection. With this constraint the MHD simulations can then show where HP reconnection most likely occurs. We also suggest that reconnection triggers the 2-3 kHz radio bursts observed to emanate from near the HP. The source locations can then be used to constrain the direction and magnitude of the local interstellar magnetic field.
Alouani Bibi F.
Drake James F.
Opher Merav
Swisdak Michael
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