Search Publications
Solar wind interaction with comet 67P: Impacts of corotating interaction regions
Glassmeier, K. -H.; Nilsson, H.; Henri, P. +18 more
We present observations from the Rosetta Plasma Consortium of the effects of stormy solar wind on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Four corotating interaction regions (CIRs), where the first event has possibly merged with a coronal mass ejection, are traced from Earth via Mars (using Mars Express and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission)…
Empirical model of the Martian dayside ionosphere: Effects of crustal magnetic fields and solar ionizing flux at higher altitudes
Gurnett, D. A.; Němec, F.; Morgan, D. D. +1 more
We use electron density profiles measured by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument on board the Mars Express spacecraft to investigate the effects of possible controlling parameters unconsidered in the empirical model of Němec et al. (2011, hereafter N11). Specifically, we focus on the effects of crustal magneti…
In situ observations of flux rope at the separatrix region of magnetic reconnection
Vaivads, A.; Retino, A.; Sahraoui, F. +12 more
We present the first in situ observations of a small-scale flux rope locally formed at the separatrix region of magnetic reconnection without large guide field. Bidirectional electron beams (cold and hot beams) and density cavity accompanied by intense wave activity substantiate the crossing of the separatrix region. Density compression and one pa…
Kinetic Alfvén turbulence below and above ion cyclotron frequency
Wu, D. J.; Zhao, J. S.; Voitenko, Y. M. +1 more
Alfvénic turbulent cascade perpendicular and parallel to the background magnetic field is studied accounting for anisotropic dispersive effects and turbulent intermittency. The perpendicular dispersion and intermittency make the perpendicular-wave-number magnetic spectra steeper and speed up production of high ion cyclotron frequencies by the turb…
Generation of magnetosonic waves over a continuous spectrum
Lu, Quanming; Gao, Xinliang; Zhima, Zeren +3 more
Magnetosonic waves, also known as equatorial noise emission, were found to have discrete frequency structures, which is consistent with instability caused by proton ring distribution. Nonetheless, nondiscrete structure, i.e., a broadband spectrum over a continuous frequency range, has been reported. We investigate the question whether proton ring …
Magnetic reconnection in Saturn's magnetotail: A comprehensive magnetic field survey
Thomsen, M. F.; Jackman, C. M.; Smith, A. W.
Reconnection within planetary magnetotails is responsible for locally energizing particles and changing the magnetic topology. Its role in terms of global magnetospheric dynamics can involve changing the mass and flux content of the magnetosphere. We have identified reconnection related events in spacecraft magnetometer data recorded during Cassin…
Propagation of small size magnetic holes in the magnetospheric plasma sheet
Zhang, H.; Hamrin, M.; Rème, H. +19 more
Magnetic holes (MHs), characteristic structures where the magnetic field magnitude decreases significantly, have been frequently observed in space plasmas. Particularly, small size magnetic holes (SSMHs) which the scale is less than or close to the proton gyroradius are recently detected in the magnetospheric plasma sheet. In this study of Cluster…
Jupiter's X-ray and EUV auroras monitored by Chandra, XMM-Newton, and Hisaki satellite
Hasegawa, H.; Fujimoto, M.; Masters, A. +17 more
Jupiter's X-ray auroral emission in the polar cap region results from particles which have undergone strong field-aligned acceleration into the ionosphere. The origin of precipitating ions and electrons and the time variability in the X-ray emission are essential to uncover the driving mechanism for the high-energy acceleration. The magnetospheric…
Interaction of ULF waves with different ion species: Pitch angle and phase space density implications
Zong, Q. G.; Rankin, R.; Wang, Y. F. +2 more
ULF waves can accelerate/decelerate the charged particles including the ring current ions via drift-bounce resonance, which play an important role in the dynamics of ring current during storm times. This study compares the different behaviors of oxygen ions (10.5-35.1 keV) and protons (0.3-12.3 keV) which simultaneously interact with Pc5 ULF waves…
Rotational modulation of Saturn's radio emissions after equinox
Gurnett, D. A.; Kurth, W. S.; Ye, S. -Y. +2 more
Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR), narrowband emission, and auroral hiss are periodically modulated due to Saturn's rotation, and the periods were found to vary with time. We analyze Cassini observations of Saturn's radio emissions with the main focus on the four years 2012-2015. It is shown that the rotation rates of SKR north and south were diff…