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MMS Observations of Electrostatic Waves in an Oblique Shock Crossing
Author(s) -
Goodrich Katherine A.,
Ergun Robert,
Schwartz Steven J.,
Wilson Lynn B.,
Newman David,
Wilder Frederick D.,
Holmes Justin,
Johlander Andreas,
Burch James,
Torbert Roy,
Khotyaintsev Yuri,
Lindqvist PerArne,
Strangeway Robert,
Russell Christopher,
Gershman Daniel,
Giles Barbara,
Andersson Laila
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1029/2018ja025830
Subject(s) - physics , magnetic field , laminar flow , interplanetary magnetic field , solar wind , population , shock wave , computational physics , geophysics , mechanics , demography , quantum mechanics , sociology
High‐resolution particle and wave measurements taken during an oblique bow shock crossing by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission are analyzed. Two regions of differing magnetic behavior are identified within the shock, one with active magnetic fluctuations and one with laminar interplanetary magnetic field topology. A prominent reflected ion population is observed in both regions. The active magnetic region is characterized by large‐amplitude (>100 mV/m) electrostatic solitary waves, electron Bernstein waves, and ion acoustic waves, along with intermittent current activity and localized electron heating. In the region of laminar magnetic field, ion acoustic waves are prominently observed. Solar wind ion deceleration is observed in both regions of active and laminar magnetic field. All observations suggest that solar wind deceleration can occur as a result of multiple independent processes, in this case current and ion‐ion instabilities.