Favorable conditions for magnetic reconnection at ganymede’s upstream magnetopause
File(s)867409_2_merged_1582714772.pdf (5.71 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Kaweeyanun, Nawapat
Masters, Adam
Jia, Xianzhe
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Ganymede is the only Solar System moon known to generate a permanent magnetic field. Jovian plasma motions around Ganymede create an upstream magnetopause, where energy flows are thought to be driven by magnetic reconnection. Simulations indicate Ganymedean reconnection events may be transient, but the nature of magnetopause reconnection at Ganymede remains poorly understood, requiring an assessment of reconnection onset theory. We present an analytical model of steady‐state conditions at Ganymede's magnetopause, from which the first Ganymedean reconnection onset assessment is conducted. We find that reconnection may occur wherever Ganymede's closed magnetic field encounters Jupiter's ambient magnetic field, regardless of variations in magnetopause conditions. Unrestricted reconnection onset highlights possibilities for multiple X lines or widespread transient reconnection at Ganymede. The reconnection rate is controlled by the ambient Jovian field orientation and hence driven by Jupiter's rotation. Future progress on this topic is highly relevant for the JUpiter ICy moon Explorer mission.
Date Issued
2020-03-28
Date Acceptance
2020-03-05
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2020, 47 (6), pp.1-10
ISSN
0094-8276
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Start Page
1
End Page
10
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
47
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
©2020. American Geophysical Union.All Rights Reserved. This is the accepted version of the following article: Kaweeyanun, N., Masters, A., & Jia, X. ( 2020). Favorable conditions for magnetic reconnection at Ganymede's upstream magnetopause. Geophysical Research Letters, 47, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086228
Sponsor
The Royal Society
The Royal Society
The Royal Society
Identifier
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019GL086228
Grant Number
UF150547
RG160612
RGF\EA\180226
Subjects
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-03-09