Mapping Out the Diffusion Region in Magnetopause Reconnection: from CLUSTER to Magnetospheric Multiscale
Abstract
The ion and electron diffusion regions in magnetopause reconnection are mapped out with distinctplasma distribution functions and field structures using data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) and CLUSTER missions as well asparticle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The four-point measurements from CLUSTER provide in part the reality check forthe simulation predictions concerning the ion diffusion region, including electron distribution maps for the inflow, separatrix, and exhaust, the plasma flow patterns, and theelectric and magnetic field structures. A number of candidate electron diffusion region (EDR) crossings by CLUSTER have been identified based on combined field reversals, density gradients, and jet reversals. Surrounding the candidate EDR are regions of accelerated and heatedplasmas with anisotropic distribution functions that often consist of multiple components.However, the highly structured electron distribution functions characteristic of the EDR predicted by PIC remainelusive. The unprecedented high-cadence three-dimensional measurementsfrom the Fast Plasma Investigation and the FIELDS suite onboard the four MMS spacecraftopen up the possibilities to resolve the EDR. We will demonstrate how MMS measurementspush forward the frontier of our understanding on the diffusion region physics in magnetopause reconnection.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015AGUFMSM43A..06C
- Keywords:
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- 7835 Magnetic reconnection;
- SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS