Bursty reconnection at the magnetopause and cusp due to foreshock turbulence: An emerging picture based on multi-mission measurements
Presentation Type
Talk
Presenter Format
In Person Meeting Talk
Topic
System Science
Start Date
12-5-2022 3:00 PM
Abstract
MMS Measurements from the terrestrial bow shock inspire a series of studies on the nature and impact of foreshock turbulence on planetary magnetospheres. Under a constant solar wind and IMF, intense magnetic field and density enhancements that are planet-sized can be generated locally just upstream of the shocked solar wind (hence the name 'foreshock turbulence'). We will discuss how these structures impact Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere by combining observations from MMS, DMSP, CLUSTER, and THEMIS with global kinetic simulations. One surprise is that bursty reconnection can occur at places not expected for the associated IMF Bz. Another surprise is that in DMSP observations, precipitating magnetosheath ions tend to produce energy-latitude dispersion opposite to that expected for southward IMF when the radial component of the IMF dominates, a condition optimal for intense foreshock turbulence. We will discuss a new picture emerging from the surprises, and how MMS can contribute to understanding the picture during the extended mission.
Bursty reconnection at the magnetopause and cusp due to foreshock turbulence: An emerging picture based on multi-mission measurements
MMS Measurements from the terrestrial bow shock inspire a series of studies on the nature and impact of foreshock turbulence on planetary magnetospheres. Under a constant solar wind and IMF, intense magnetic field and density enhancements that are planet-sized can be generated locally just upstream of the shocked solar wind (hence the name 'foreshock turbulence'). We will discuss how these structures impact Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere by combining observations from MMS, DMSP, CLUSTER, and THEMIS with global kinetic simulations. One surprise is that bursty reconnection can occur at places not expected for the associated IMF Bz. Another surprise is that in DMSP observations, precipitating magnetosheath ions tend to produce energy-latitude dispersion opposite to that expected for southward IMF when the radial component of the IMF dominates, a condition optimal for intense foreshock turbulence. We will discuss a new picture emerging from the surprises, and how MMS can contribute to understanding the picture during the extended mission.
