Dependence of reconnection rate on plasma beta for magnetopause reconnection events observed by the Polar satellite
Abstract
We present a study of reconnection rate dependence on plasma beta values evaluated at the earth's magnetopause using data observed by the Polar satellite during some magnetopause crossings. These events have large plasma outflow velocity values (> 300 km/s) among those reported by Mozer and Hull (2010). Here, the reconnection rate is calculated as the ratio between the normal component of the magnetic field (BN) in the current sheet and the north-south component (BL) of the magnetosheath magnetic field. A discussion about the variability of this reconnection rate/plasma beta dependence will be given in association with slow and fast reconnection models.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AGUFMSM21B2283K
- Keywords:
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- 2723 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS / Magnetic reconnection;
- 2724 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS / Magnetopause and boundary layers