[A study of the magnetic field annihilation process in the magnetosphere and some geotechnical applications]. Progress report
Our proposed project is to study the magneto reconnection processes in the Earth`s magnetosphere by using both analytical methods and computer simulations. The three-dimensional (3-D) topology of the reconnected field lines and the kinetic aspects of magnetic reconnection in the collisionless magnetosphere are emphasized in the present study. At the dayside magnetopause magnetic flux ropes can form as a result of multiple X-line reconnection. Our 3-D MHD simulation shows that for an appropriate extent and location of two neighbouring X-lines, a simple magnetic topology can be expected, in which the major amount of magnetic flux of the rope is connected at each end to only one side of the current sheet. This simple rope is different from the ``frayed`` rope which has a complicated field topology. For a sufficient relative shift of the X-lines magnetic flux may enter a flux rope from the magnetosphere and exit into the magnetosphere, leading to the formation of magnetic flux ropes which contain a considerable amount of magnetosheath plasma on closed magnetospheric field lines. This process may provide a possible explanation for the formation of fossil flux transfer events in the magnetosphere and the formation of the low latitude boundary layer.
- Research Organization:
- Alaska Univ., Fairbanks, AK (United States). Geophysical Inst.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG06-86ER13530
- OSTI ID:
- 10147957
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/13530-6; GI-91-75a; ON: DE93013248
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: [1993]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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