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Crater FTEs: Simulation results and THEMIS observations
Author(s) -
Sibeck D. G.,
Kuznetsova M.,
Angelopoulos V.,
Glaßmeier K.H.,
McFadden J. P.
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.1029/2008gl033568
Subject(s) - magnetopause , magnetosheath , geophysics , interplanetary magnetic field , magnetic field , magnetohydrodynamics , physics , geology , magnetosphere , solar wind , quantum mechanics
The BATS‐R‐US magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model predicts flux transfer events (FTEs) with strong core magnetic fields embedded within a broadened current layer of weak magnetic field strengths on the equatorial dayside magnetopause during intervals of southward and duskward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation. Multipoint THEMIS observations at 2202 UT on June 20, 2007 of a southward‐moving FTE on the post‐noon magnetopause confirm the predictions of the model. THEMIS‐E and ‐A with large impact parameters simply observe enhanced magnetic field strengths in draped magnetosheath magnetic field lines, THEMIS‐B and ‐C with moderate impact parameters pass through the broadened current layer to observe crater FTEs with deep troughs bounding a strong core field, while THEMIS‐D with a very low impact parameter observes the core magnetic field strength enhancement embedded in the current layer.