Electron acceleration by magnetosheath jet‐driven bow waves
File(s)
Author(s)
Liu, Terry Z
Hietala, Heli
Angelopoulos, Vassilis
Vainio, Rami
Omelchenko, Yuri
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Magnetosheath jets are localized fast flows with enhanced dynamic pressure. When they supermagnetosonically compress the ambient magnetosheath plasma, a bow wave or shock can form ahead of them. Such a bow wave was recently observed to accelerate ions and possibly electrons. The ion acceleration process was previously analyzed, but the electron acceleration process remains largely unexplored. Here we use multi‐point observations by Time History of Events and Macroscale during Substorms from three events to determine whether and how magnetosheath jet‐driven bow waves can accelerate electrons. We show that when suprathermal electrons in the ambient magnetosheath convect towards a bow wave, some electrons are shock‐drift accelerated and reflected towards the ambient magnetosheath and others continue moving downstream of the bow wave resulting in bi‐directional motion. Our study indicates that magnetosheath jet‐driven bow waves can result in additional energization of suprathermal electrons in the magnetosheath. It implies that magnetosheath jets can increase the efficiency of electron acceleration at planetary bow shocks or other similar astrophysical environments.
Date Issued
2020-07-08
Date Acceptance
2020-05-13
Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 2020, 125 (7), pp.1-13
ISSN
2169-9380
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page
1
End Page
13
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume
125
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Sponsor
The Royal Society
Identifier
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019JA027709
Grant Number
URF\R1\180671
Subjects
0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
0401 Atmospheric Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-05-28