Mechanism for patchy reconnection at the dayside magnetopause

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL015i002p00152· OSTI ID:5377964

La Bell-Hamer, A L; Fu, Z F; Lee, L C

In this paper, the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) and tearing instabilities at the dayside magnetopause are examined. It is found from simulations that the development of the KH instability modulates the current sheet, creating separated pinched regions. The growth rate of the tearing instability is enhanced in these pinched regions and diminished in the regions separating them. Based on these findings, we propose that a possible mechanism for patchy reconnection at the dayside magnetopause is the development of the KH instability. copyright American Geophysical Union 1988

• Research Organization: Geophysical Institute and Department of Physics, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
• OSTI ID: 5377964
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 15:2; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA SHEET
TEARING INSTABILITY