Frontside boundary layer of the magnetosphere and the problem of reconnection

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA083iA07p03195· OSTI ID:6694914

Haerendel, G; Paschmann, G; Sckopke, N; Rosenbauer, H; Hedgecock, P C

Further Heos 2 plasma and magnetic field data obtained in the frontside boundary layers of he magnetosphere are presented. They reveal hat the low-latitude extension of the entry layer is of a somewhat different nature. The most pronounced difference with respect to the entry layer in the cusp region is the substantial density jump at the magnetopause. Furthermore, the low-latitude boundary layer tends to be thinner and less turbulent, and the flow velocity inside the layer is always lower than that of the adjacent magnetosheath. This observation excludes large-scale reconnection at the front of the magnetosphere as he origin of the layer. It is suggested that diffusive entry of magnetosheath plasma and/or heating of detached plasma from the plasmasphere leads to the formation of the layer. It appears likely that reconnection is dominantly occurring as a transient process in the cusp region and accompanies the eddy convection inside the entry layer. As a consequence, magnetic flux is being eroded from the front of the magnetosphere. This is in agreement with the signature of short-term large-amplitude magnetic perturbations observed in the low-latitude boundary layer.

• Research Organization: Institut fuer extraterrestrische Physik, Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik Garching, West Germany
• OSTI ID: 6694914
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 83:A7; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EDDY CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
HEATING
LATITUDE EFFECT
LAYERS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSHEATH
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMA HEATING
REENTRY
VARIATIONS