Could a low‐frequency perturbation in the Earth's magnetotail be generated by the lunar wake?
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Both ground based magnetometers and ionospheric radars at Earth have frequently detected Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) fluctuations at discrete frequencies extending below one mHz-range. Many dayside solar wind drivers have been convincingly demonstrated as driver mechanisms. In this paper we investigate and propose an additional, nightside generation mechanism of a low frequency magnetic field fluctuation. We propose that the Moon may excite a magnetic field perturbation of the order of 1 nT at discrete frequencies when it travels through the Earth's magnetotail
4–5 days every month. Our theoretical prediction is supported by a case study of ARTEMIS magnetic field measurements at the lunar orbit in the Earth's magnetotail. ARTEMIS detects statistically significant peaks in magnetic field fluctuation power at frequencies of 0.37–0.47 mHz that are not present in the solar wind.
4–5 days every month. Our theoretical prediction is supported by a case study of ARTEMIS magnetic field measurements at the lunar orbit in the Earth's magnetotail. ARTEMIS detects statistically significant peaks in magnetic field fluctuation power at frequencies of 0.37–0.47 mHz that are not present in the solar wind.
Date Issued
2024-11-28
Date Acceptance
2024-10-25
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2024, 51 (22)
ISSN
0094-8276
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
51
Issue
22
Copyright Statement
© 2024 The Author(s). This article has
been contributed to by U.S. Government
employees and their work is in the public
domain in the USA.
This is an open access article under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits use,
distribution and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.
been contributed to by U.S. Government
employees and their work is in the public
domain in the USA.
This is an open access article under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits use,
distribution and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024gl110129
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e2024GL110129
Date Publish Online
2024-11-25