Magnetospheric multiscale satellites observations of parallel electric fields associated with magnetic reconnection
File(s)Ergun_PRL_05.pdf (5.84 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We report observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale satellites of parallel electric fields (E_{∥}) associated with magnetic reconnection in the subsolar region of the Earth's magnetopause. E_{∥} events near the electron diffusion region have amplitudes on the order of 100 mV/m, which are significantly larger than those predicted for an antiparallel reconnection electric field. This Letter addresses specific types of E_{∥} events, which appear as large-amplitude, near unipolar spikes that are associated with tangled, reconnected magnetic fields. These E_{∥} events are primarily in or near a current layer near the separatrix and are interpreted to be double layers that may be responsible for secondary reconnection in tangled magnetic fields or flux ropes. These results are telling of the three-dimensional nature of magnetopause reconnection and indicate that magnetopause reconnection may be often patchy and/or drive turbulence along the separatrix that results in flux ropes and/or tangled magnetic fields.
Date Issued
2016-06-10
Date Acceptance
2016-05-01
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2016, 116 (23)
ISSN
1079-7114
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
116
Issue
23
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Physical Society.
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Leverhulme Trust
Identifier
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27341241
Grant Number
ST/K001051/1
RF-2015-188
Subjects
General Physics
02 Physical Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
235102