A simulationstudy of magnetic reconnection processes at the dayside magnetopause

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5622772

Shi, Yong

In this thesis, the dayside reconnection processes are studied by using computer simulations. First, the global magnetic reconnection patterns at the dayside magnetopause are studied based on a two-dimensional incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code. It is found that multiple X line reconnection may prevail at the dayside magnetopause when the magnetic Reynolds number is large ({gt}200). The formation and subsequent poleward convection of magnetic islands are observed in the simulation. The Alfven Mach number of the solar wind, M{sub Asw}, can also change the reconnection patterns. For a large M{sub Asw}, reconnection tends to occur at the higher latitude region. Secondly, the structure of the dayside reconnection layer is studied by a two-dimensional compressible MHD simulation. In a highly asymmetric configuration typical of the dayside magnetopause, the pair of slow shocks bounding the reconnection layer in Petschek's symmetric model is found to be replaced by an intermediate shock on the magnetosheath side and a weak slow shock on the magnetospheric side. In addition, a mechanism for the enhancement of B{sub y}, which is observed in the magnetopause current layer and magnetic flux tubes, is proposed.

• Research Organization: Alaska Univ., Fairbanks, AK (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5622772
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONVECTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRODYNAMICS
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC ISLANDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MASS TRANSFER
MECHANICS
MORPHOLOGY
SHOCK WAVES
SIMULATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS