Plasma sheet formation during long period of northward IMF

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

33

Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetopause And Boundary Layers, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetospheric Configuration And Dynamics, Magnetospheric Physics: Plasma Sheet, Magnetospheric Physics: Numerical Modeling, Magnetospheric Physics: Solar Wind/Magnetosphere Interactions

Scientific paper

We have studied the entry paths of solar wind plasma into the magnetosphere during an extended period of northward IMF using an OpenGGCM MHD simulation of the cold dense plasma sheet (CDPS) event observed on October 23, 2003 by the Cluster spacecraft. We find that high-latitude reconnection occurs tailward of both cusps between the IMF and geomagnetic field. The newly created closed magnetic flux tubes capture magnetosheath plasma, and subsequently sink and shrink into the magnetosphere, while convecting tailward. The plasma that enters near the reconnection site is driven sunward and toward the low latitude region initially; it then drifts to the flanks. The captured plasma is characterized by small flow velocity, and it is moderately heated in the reconnection region. In the present case study we find the cold plasma enters the plasma sheet in the near Earth tail where it is observed by Cluster.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Plasma sheet formation during long period of northward IMF 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 Plasma sheet formation during long period of northward IMF, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plasma sheet formation during long period of northward IMF will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-972717

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.