Magnetic flux ropes at the high-latitude magnetopause

Journal Article · Mon May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95GL01014· OSTI ID:175771

Berchem, J; Raeder, J; Ashour-Abdalla, M ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

The authors examine the consequences of magnetic reconnection at the high-latitude magnetopause using a three-dimensional global magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the solar wind interaction with the Earth`s magnetosphere. Magnetic field lines from the simulation reveal the formation of magnetic flux ropes during periods with northward interplanetary magnetic field. These flux ropes result from multiple reconnection processes between the lobes field lines and draped magnetosheath field lines that are convected around the flank of the magnetosphere. The flux ropes identified in the simulation are consistent with features observed in the magnetic field measured by Hawkeye-1 during some high-latitude magnetopause crossings. 24 refs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 175771
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 22; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
COUPLING
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FLUX
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOPAUSE
PLASMA SIMULATION
SOLAR WIND