Ionospheric signatures of internal reconnection for northward interplanetary magnetic field: Observation of ``reciprocal cells'' and magnetosheath ion precipitation

Details Ionospheric signatures of internal reconnection for northward interplanetary magnetic field: Observation of ``reciprocal cells'' and magnetosheath ion precipitation Ionospheric signatures of internal reconnection for northward interplanetary magnetic field: Observation of ``reciprocal cells'' and magnetosheath ion precipitation

Jun 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006jgra..11106201w&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 111, Issue A6, CiteID A06201

Physics

12

Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetic Reconnection (7526, 7835), Magnetospheric Physics: Plasma Convection (2463), Magnetospheric Physics: Polar Cap Phenomena, Ionosphere: Plasma Convection (2760), Magnetospheric Physics: Cusp

Scientific paper

Magnetic reconnection that involves overdraped lobe field lines is called internal reconnection since it occurs inside the magnetopause. When the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is due northward and the Earth's dipole is tilted significantly, internal reconnection occurs in the winter hemisphere, not only between a summer lobe field line and a winter lobe field line but also between a summer lobe field line and a closed field line. The latter internal reconnection drives ``reciprocal cells'' in the winter ionosphere that circulate exclusively in the closed field line region. The reciprocal cells are intimately related to the lobe cells in the summer ionosphere in that in the steady state, the reconnection voltage associated with merging of IMF and open field lines is equal to the sum of the lobe cell potential and the reciprocal cell potential. In this paper we present observations of convection patterns consistent with those expected for reciprocal cells, using ionospheric radar and low-altitude satellite data. We also show the concurrence of lobe cells and reciprocal cells. The observations of reciprocal cells provide support for the internal reconnection between a summer lobe field line and a closed field line. In addition, we show that equatorward of the polar cap boundary, magnetosheath-like ions are drifting from noon toward the flankside in both hemispheres. We suggest that these ions are of magnetosheath origin and that they entered the closed region of the magnetosphere through the rotational discontinuity associated with internal reconnection. These magnetosheath-like ion observations strongly support the occurrence of internal reconnection.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Ionospheric signatures of internal reconnection for northward interplanetary magnetic field: Observation of ``reciprocal cells'' and magnetosheath ion precipitation 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 Ionospheric signatures of internal reconnection for northward interplanetary magnetic field: Observation of ``reciprocal cells'' and magnetosheath ion precipitation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ionospheric signatures of internal reconnection for northward interplanetary magnetic field: Observation of ``reciprocal cells'' and magnetosheath ion precipitation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1063633