Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufmsh13c..07d&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #SH13C-07
Physics
Plasma Physics
[7526] Solar Physics, Astrophysics, And Astronomy / Magnetic Reconnection, [7835] Space Plasma Physics / Magnetic Reconnection, [7845] Space Plasma Physics / Particle Acceleration
Scientific paper
The sectored magnetic field due to the flapping of the heliospheric current sheet compresses across the termination shock and may reconnect in the heliosheath, driving the anomalous cosmic rays and producing a sea of elongated magnetic bubbles. A number of Voyager observations are consistent with the bubble picture of the heliosheath, including flow enhancements, magnetic field compressions and strongly-altered transport properties. We are exploring the 3-D structure and dynamics of magnetic bubbles with PIC simulations to understand the associated particle acceleration and how the resulting complex magnetic field will impact the transport of energetic particles, including galactic cosmic rays. We find that magnetic bubbles form as fully 3-D rather than 2-D objects. In spite of the 3-D nature of the reconnection process, particle acceleration does not appear to be significantly changed from earlier results in 2-D. The characteristic signatures of magnetic bubbles are being identified for comparison with the magnetic field data from Voyager. Intriguing Voyager 2 magnetic field observations of brief negative polarity excursions during a nominally positive unipolar period 2009.6-2010.3 are being studied as possible evidence that magnetic bubbles from reconnection in the sector zone are being ejected into the nominally unipolar region in a manner analogous to spray from a water/air interface.
Drake James F.
Opher Merav
Schoeffler K. M.
Swisdak Michael
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