Impact of the solar wind dynamic pressure on the field-aligned currents in the magnetotail: cluster observation
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Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We statistically investigate the influence of the solar wind dynamic pressure (SW Pdyn) on the field-aligned currents (FACs) in the magnetotail with 1,492 FAC cases from July to October in 2001 and 2004, which covers 74 Cluster crossings of the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) in both storm time and non-storm time. The FAC density in the magnetotail is derived from the magnetic field data with the four-point measurement of Cluster, and the SW Pdyn is taken from ACE data. The results indicate the FAC density becomes stronger with increasing SW Pdyn. The statistics show that the FAC occurrence increased monotonically with SW Pdyn in the three levels (Weak: SW Pdyn < 2 nPa; Medium: 2 nPa ≤ SW Pdyn ≤ 5 nPa; Strong: SW Pdyn > 5 nPa). The FAC density increased with increasing SW Pdyn, while its footprint (invariant latitude, ILAT) in the polar region decreased with increasing SW Pdyn. The response of the FAC to SW Pdyn in the magnetotail had a north-south hemispheric asymmetry. The FAC density had a better correlation with SW Pdyn in the Northern hemisphere, while the footprint had a better correlation with SW Pdyn in the Southern hemisphere. Possible underlying mechanisms for our results are analyzed and discussed. However, it requires more observations and simulation studies to find out the mechanism of north-south asymmetry.
Date Issued
2021-12-01
Date Acceptance
2021-11-19
Citation
JGR: Space Physics, 2021, 126 (12), pp.1-12
ISSN
2169-9402
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Start Page
1
End Page
12
Journal / Book Title
JGR: Space Physics
Volume
126
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2021. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Cheng, Z. W., Shi, J. K., Torkar, K., Lu, G. P., Dunlop, M. W., Carr, C. M., et al. (2021). Impact of the solar wind dynamic pressure on the field-aligned currents in the magnetotail: Cluster observation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 126, e2021JA029785. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029785. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000735715600048&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Astronomy & Astrophysics
AURORAL OVAL
CHAMP
cluster observations
CONE ANGLE
CURRENT SIGNATURES
DEPENDENCE
FAC in the magnetotail
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC-FIELD
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSPHERE
north-south hemispheric asymmetry
Physical Sciences
RECONNECTION
REGION
Science & Technology
solar wind dynamic pressure
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e2021JA029785
Date Publish Online
2021-12-05