Search Publications
Energetic electron response to ULF waves induced by interplanetary shocks in the outer radiation belt
Zong, Q. -G.; Daly, P. W.; Baker, D. N. +7 more
Strong interplanetary shock interactions with the Earth's magnetosphere have great impacts on energetic particle dynamics in the magnetosphere. An interplanetary shock on 7 November 2004 (with the maximum solar wind dynamic pressure of ∼70 nPa) was observed by the Cluster constellation to induce significant ULF waves in the plasmasphere boundary, …
Nonlinear mechanisms of lower-band and upper-band VLF chorus emissions in the magnetosphere
Katoh, Yuto; Omura, Yoshiharu; Hikishima, Mitsuru +2 more
We develop a nonlinear wave growth theory of magnetospheric chorus emissions, taking into account the spatial inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field and the plasma density variation along the magnetic field line. We derive theoretical expressions for the nonlinear growth rate and the amplitude threshold for the generation of self-sustaining ch…
Radial evolution of nonthermal electron populations in the low-latitude solar wind: Helios, Cluster, and Ulysses Observations
Maksimovic, Milan; Štverák, Štěpán; Marsch, Eckart +3 more
We have performed a statistical study of a substantial amount of solar wind electron velocity distribution functions (eVDFs). In our data set, we combine measurements acquired onboard three spacecrafts (Helios, Cluster II, and Ulysses) in the low ecliptic latitudes covering the heliocentric distance from 0.3 up to 4 AU. In this study, we focus on …
Ion heating resulting from pickup in magnetic reconnection exhausts
Lin, R. P.; Phan, T. D.; Lepri, S. T. +6 more
The heating of ions downstream of the x-line during magnetic reconnection is explored using full-particle simulations, test particle simulations, and analytic analysis. Large-scale particle simulations reveal that the ion temperature increases sharply across the boundary layer that separates the upstream plasma from the Alfvénic outflow. This boun…
Oblique propagation of whistler mode waves in the chorus source region
Gurnett, D. A.; Pickett, J. S.; Santolík, O. +2 more
Whistler mode chorus has been shown to play a role in the process of local acceleration of electrons in the outer Van Allen radiation belt. Most of the quasi-linear and nonlinear theoretical studies assume that the waves propagate parallel to the terrestrial magnetic field. We show a case where this assumption is invalid. We use data from the Clus…
Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at the Earth's magnetopause: Multiscale development and associated reconnection
André, M.; Khotyaintsev, Y.; Vaivads, A. +11 more
We examine traversals on 20 November 2001 of the equatorial magnetopause boundary layer simultaneously at ∼1500 magnetic local time (MLT) by the Geotail spacecraft and at ∼1900 MLT by the Cluster spacecraft, which detected rolled-up MHD-scale vortices generated by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) under prolonged northward interplanetary magn…
Modeling ionospheric outflows and their impact on the magnetosphere, initial results
Tóth, G.; Gombosi, T.; Glocer, A. +1 more
Ionospheric outflow has been shown to be a significant contributor to the plasma population of the magnetosphere during active geomagnetic conditions. We present the results of new efforts to model the source and effects of out-flowing plasma in the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF). In particular, we develop and use the Polar Wind Outflow M…
Short-wavelength turbulence in the solar wind: Linear theory of whistler and kinetic Alfvén fluctuations
Gary, S. Peter; Smith, Charles W.
There is a debate as to the identity of the fluctuations which constitute the relatively high-frequency plasma turbulence observed in the solar wind. One school holds that these modes are kinetic Alfvén waves, whereas another opinion is that they are whistler modes. Here linear kinetic theory for electromagnetic fluctuations in homogeneous, collis…
Multifluid Block-Adaptive-Tree Solar wind Roe-type Upwind Scheme: Magnetospheric composition and dynamics during geomagnetic storms—Initial results
Kistler, L. M.; Zhang, J. -C.; Tóth, G. +3 more
The magnetosphere contains a significant amount of ionospheric O+, particularly during geomagnetically active times. The presence of ionospheric plasma in the magnetosphere has a notable impact on magnetospheric composition and processes. We present a new multifluid MHD version of the Block-Adaptive-Tree Solar wind Roe-type Upwind Schem…
Global hybrid simulations: Foreshock waves and cavitons under radial interplanetary magnetic field geometry
Russell, C. T.; Omidi, N.; Blanco-Cano, X.
We use global hybrid (kinetic ions and fluid electrons) simulations to study the solar wind interaction with the magnetosphere for a radial ($\theta$ vB = 0) interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) geometry. Global hybrid simulations provide a collective picture of processes taking place in the foreshock, bow shock, and magnetosheath. Becau…