Geospace Response to Small-scale Magnetic Flux Ropes in the Solar Wind
Abstract
Small-scale magnetic flux ropes (SMFRs), a bundle of twisted field lines, are frequently observed in the solar wind. However, their origin is still controversial because there have been a number of reports that SMFRs are observed not only near the sun but also even near the nose of the Earths bow shock. Since it is widely known that rotating magnetic field structure is favorable for build-up, release and transport of free energy, the interaction between SMFRs and the Earths magnetosphere may lead to transient energy transfer near the boundary (e.g., flux transfer event or FTE) via magnetic reconnection. However, their effect on the geospace environment has not yet been extensively studied. We report on geospace responses to SMFRs by comparing SMFR signatures from the spacecraft in the solar wind between Sun and Earth (e.g., ACE and Wind) with field and particle data from the several magnetospheric missions in various orbits (e.g., MMS, Cluster, GOES and Van Allen Probes) to investigate geomagnetic activity and plasma characteristics during passages of SMFRs. Responses in the ionosphere at high latitudes are also reported using data from magnetometers and SuperDARN radars.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFMSM15D1996S