The magnetic topology of the plasmoid flux rope in a MHD simulation of magnetotail reconnection

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GM058p0655· OSTI ID:6017894

Birn, J; Hesse, M

On the basis of a three-dimensional MHD simulation we discuss the magnetic topology of a plasmoid that forms by a localized reconnection process in a magnetotail configuration including a net dawn-dusk magnetic field component B/sub yN/. As a consequence of b/sub yN/ /ne/ 0 the plasmid gets a helical flux rope structure rather than an isolated island or bubble structure. Initially all field lines of the plasmid flux rope remain connected with the Earth, while at later times a gradually increasing amount of flux tubes becomes separated, connecting to either the distant boundary or to the flank boundaries. In this stage topologically different flux tubes become tangled and wrapped around each other, consistent with predictions on the basis of ad-hoc plasmid models. 10 refs., 8 figs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6017894
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-89-1593; CONF-8903131-2; ON: DE89012621
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC SURFACES
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOTAIL
MECHANICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMOIDS
SIMULATION