Dipolarization fronts in the near-Earth space and substorm dynamics
Abstract
During magnetospheric substorms and plasma transport in the Earth’s magnetotail several magnetic structures can be detected. Two of the most important types observed are dipolarization fronts and flux ropes. Presently the research of these magnetoplasma structures absorbs a great deal of effort from magnetospheric scientists. However, they are treated as separate magnetotail features being independent of each other. Here we investigate a number of dipolarization fronts observed by THEMIS spacecraft by applying the magnetohydrostatic Grad-Shafranov reconstruction technique. Reconstruction results provide reasonable explanation that dipolarization fronts actually originate from highly dissipated flux ropes which are in the late stage of their evolution, subjected to a continuous magnetic deterioration due to anti-reconnection process. These results may have a great impact not only on Earth’s magnetotail but also on magnetotails of other magnetized planets like Hermean, Jovian, Kronian, Uranian, and Neptunian, introducing a previously unrevealed perspective concerning magnetotail dynamics
- Publication:
-
11th Hellenic Astronomical Conference
- Pub Date:
- September 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013hell.conf...22V