Formation of Plasmoids and Magnetic Flux Ropes during Southward IMF

Details Formation of Plasmoids and Magnetic Flux Ropes during Southward IMF Formation of Plasmoids and Magnetic Flux Ropes during Southward IMF

Dec 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004agufmsm11a1171k&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2004, abstract #SM11A-1171

Physics

7835 Magnetic Reconnection, 7843 Numerical Simulation Studies, 2700 Magnetospheric Physics, 2724 Magnetopause, Cusp, And Boundary Layers

Scientific paper

We have shown previously that 2D global hybrid (electron fluid, kinetic ions) simulations capture correctly the physics of the many of the important boundaries in the Earth's magnetosphere. Given that 2D simulations are much less CPU intensive than 3D, we have used them more extensively to study kinetic structure of magnetospheres. Here we report on the results of simulations during southward IMF and the structure of plasmoids and flux ropes formed at the magnetopause. These structures undergo large changes as they are convected away from their point of origin. This can include coalescence of multiple magnetic islands, changes in the core field and other internal structures. There are two effects that can lead to differences in regards to dynamics of reconnection in 2D versus 3D global simulations: (1) In 2D, only plasmoids can form whereas in 3D it becomes possible to form magnetic flux ropes with varying pitch angle. (2) In 3D the plasma flow around the obstacle is more complex whereas in 2D it is confined to one plane. The consequences and relative importance of these two effects will be illustrated.

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