Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission observations and non-force free modeling of a flux transfer event immersed in a super-Alfvénic flow
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We analyze plasma, magnetic field, and electric field data for a flux transfer event (FTE) to highlight improvements in our understanding of these transient reconnection signatures resulting from high-resolution data. The ∼20 s long, reverse FTE, which occurred south of the geomagnetic equator near dusk, was immersed in super-Alfvénic flow. The field line twist is illustrated by the behavior of flows parallel/perpendicular to the magnetic field. Four-spacecraft timing and energetic particle pitch angle anisotropies indicate a flux rope (FR) connected to the Northern Hemisphere and moving southeast. The flow forces evidently overcame the magnetic tension. The high-speed flows inside the FR were different from those outside. The external flows were perpendicular to the field as expected for draping of the external field around the FR. Modeling the FR analytically, we adopt a non-force free approach since the current perpendicular to the field is nonzero. It reproduces many features of the observations.
Date Issued
2016-05-23
Date Acceptance
2016-05-17
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2016, 43 (12), pp.6070-6077
ISSN
0094-8276
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Start Page
6070
End Page
6077
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
43
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Grant Number
ST/K001051/1
Subjects
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
MD Multidisciplinary
Publication Status
Published