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Mass Loading the Earth's Dayside Magnetopause Boundary Layer and Its Effect on Magnetic Reconnection
Author(s) -
Fuselier S. A.,
Trattner K. J.,
Petrinec S. M.,
Denton M. H.,
ToledoRedondo S.,
André M.,
Aunai N.,
Chappell C. R.,
Glocer A.,
Haaland S. E.,
Hesse M.,
Kistler L. M.,
Lavraud B.,
Li W.,
Moore T. E.,
Graham D.,
Alm L.,
Tenfjord P.,
Dargent J.,
Vines S. K.,
Nykyri K.,
Burch J. L.,
Strangeway R. J.
Publication year - 2019
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 - 10.1029/2019gl082384
Subject(s) - magnetopause , magnetosheath , magnetic reconnection , interplanetary magnetic field , geophysics , physics , ionosphere , solar wind , magnetosphere , boundary layer , atmospheric sciences , magnetic field , mechanics , quantum mechanics
Abstract When the interplanetary magnetic field is northward for a period of time, O + from the high‐latitude ionosphere escapes along reconnected magnetic field lines into the dayside magnetopause boundary layer. Dual‐lobe reconnection closes these field lines, which traps O + and mass loads the boundary layer. This O + is an additional source of magnetospheric plasma that interacts with magnetosheath plasma through magnetic reconnection. This mass loading and interaction is illustrated through analysis of a magnetopause crossing by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft. While in the O + ‐rich boundary layer, the interplanetary magnetic field turns southward. As the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft cross the high‐shear magnetopause, reconnection signatures are observed. While the reconnection rate is likely reduced by the mass loading, reconnection is not suppressed at the magnetopause. The high‐latitude dayside ionosphere is therefore a source of magnetospheric ions that contributes often to transient reduction in the reconnection rate at the dayside magnetopause.