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Evidence for component merging near the subsolar magnetopause: Geotail observations
Author(s) -
Kim K.H.,
Lin N.,
Cattell C. A.,
Song Y.,
Lee D.H.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2001gl014636
Subject(s) - magnetopause , interplanetary magnetic field , physics , geophysics , magnetosphere , local time , astrophysics , magnetosheath , magnetic reconnection , boundary layer , solar wind , magnetic field , mechanics , statistics , mathematics , quantum mechanics
On January 29, 1996, the Geotail satellite skimmed inside the magnetopause from the morningside to the subsolar region and observed multiple magnetopause crossings near the subsolar region (∼1100–1200 local time). Geotail observed accelerated northward (southward) flows accompanied by duskward (dawnward) flows at the magnetopause and/or in the boundary layer near the subsolar region. Such accelerated flows are qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the theoretical predictions for reconnection. These events were observed when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was steady and was directed southward ( B z < 0)/dawnward ( B y < 0). The amplitude of the IMF B y was larger than that of the IMF B z . The accelerated flow reversals near the subsolar region may be interpreted by the motion (i.e., slightly moving up and down) of the reconnection line, which tilts from the north‐dawn quadrant to the south‐dusk quadrant and passes through the subsolar point, with respect to the satellite. We suggest that our observations can be taken as evidence for the component merging model.