Other
Scientific paper
Sep 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010icar..209...40l&link_type=abstract
Icarus, Volume 209, Issue 1, p. 40-45.
Other
2
Scientific paper
An Alfven Wave Reflection (AWR) model is proposed that provides closure for strong field-aligned currents (FACs) driven by the magnetopause reconnection in the magnetospheres of planets having no significant ionospheric and surface electrical conductance. The model is based on properties of the Alfven waves, generated at high altitudes and reflected from the low-conductivity surface of the planet. When magnetospheric convection is very slow, the incident and reflected Alfven waves propagate along approximately the same path. In this case, the net field-aligned currents will be small. However, as the convection speed increases, the reflected wave is displaced relatively to the incident wave so that the incident and reflected waves no longer compensate each other. In this case, the net field-aligned current may be large despite the lack of significant ionospheric and surface conductivity. Our estimate shows that for typical solar wind conditions at Mercury, the magnitude of Region 1-type FACs in Mercury’s magnetosphere may reach hundreds of kilo-Amperes. This AWR model of field-aligned currents may provide a solution to the long-standing problem of the closure of FACs in the Mercury’s magnetosphere.
Khazanov George V.
Lyatsky Wladislaw
Slavin James Arthur
No associations
LandOfFree
Alfven Wave Reflection model of field-aligned currents at Mercury 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 Alfven Wave Reflection model of field-aligned currents at Mercury, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Alfven Wave Reflection model of field-aligned currents at Mercury will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1496479