Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p21a1205b&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P21A-1205
Physics
[0689] Electromagnetics / Wave Propagation, [2152] Interplanetary Physics / Pickup Ions, [2772] Magnetospheric Physics / Plasma Waves And Instabilities, [6235] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mercury
Scientific paper
Numerous bursts of ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves at frequencies greater than the He+ cyclotron frequency were detected during MESSENGER’s first two Mercury flybys. The waves were observed primarily between closest approach and the outbound magnetopause. The magnetosphere was very quiet during the first flyby (M1), during which the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) had a strong northward component. In contrast, the magnetosphere was highly disturbed during the second flyby (M2), during which the IMF had a strong southward component. That ULF waves were observed during both flybys independent of the different magnetospheric conditions is remarkable. Because of this and the similarity of the three flyby trajectories we have strong expectations that these waves will be detected during the third flyby (M3). An analysis of the waves detected during M3 provides a basis for comparison with those observed during M1 and M2. At frequencies below the Na+ cyclotron frequency, strong quasi-periodic oscillations were present in the inner magnetosphere and in the dawnside boundary layer during M2, which were not observed during M1. Whether this low-frequency oscillation is more likely due to Na+ pickup-ion instabilities or, alternatively, reflects signatures of quasi-periodic intense reconnection events is presently an open question. The third flyby provides the most recent opportunity to observe such oscillations in Mercury’s magnetosphere and characterize the conditions under which they occur.
Anderson Benjamin J.
Boardsen Scott A.
Korth Haje
Slavin James Arthur
Solomon Stanley C.
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