Qualitative study of the reconnection between the Earth's magnetic field and an interplanetary field of arbitrary orientation

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · Radio Sci., v. 8, no. 11, pp. 903-913

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/RS008i011p00903· OSTI ID:4420245

Cowley, S W.H.

S>To the present date only the reconnection process for exac antiparallel fields has been discussed in detail. In magnetospheric terms this restricts us to the consideration only of southward interplanetary fields. The qualitative study presented shows how reconnection takes place between arbitrarily oriented fields in infinite and finite geometries. The process may best be thought of as a continuous exchange of field-line partners during the time a field line maps into the diffusion region. In a finite geometry the diffusion regions lie on field lines which connect neutral points of the field configuration, and along which a potential drop is imposed. Although the discussion centers principally on the magnetosphere, the described reconnection process and field topology should also be applicable to other astrophysical problems. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Colorado, Boulder
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-008603
• OSTI ID: 4420245
• Journal Information: Radio Sci., v. 8, no. 11, pp. 903-913, Journal Name: Radio Sci., v. 8, no. 11, pp. 903-913; ISSN RASCA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*INTERPLANETARY SPACE-- COUPLING
*MAGNETOSPHERE-- COUPLING
MAGNETIC FIELDS
N58300* --Physics (Atmospheric)--Magnetospheric Phenomena
ORIENTATION