Asymmetric interaction of a solar wind reconnecting current sheet and its magnetic hole with Earth's bow shock and magnetosphere | CU Experts

We report results of our analysis of a solar wind reconnecting current; sheet (RCS) and its solar wind magnetic hole observed on 20 November; 2018. In the solar wind, the normal vector to the current sheet plane; makes an angle of 32° with the Sun-Earth line. A combination of tilted; current sheet plane and foreshock effects cause an asymmetric; interaction with the bow shock, such that the structure arrives at the; quasi-perpendicular side of the bow shock before the quasi-parallel; side. The solar wind flow slowdown and deflection during the bow shock; crossing significantly disrupt the reconnection exhausts within the RCS.; Unlike localized magnetosheath jets, the solar wind RCS has a global; impact on the bow shock and the magnetopause. Plasma flow deflection in; the magnetosheath also increases with the passage of the RCS. The; magnetic field strength inside the magnetic hole decreases by; ~69 percent in the solar wind, with a similar depression; rate observed inside the magnetosheath due to this structure. The ion; density and temperature both increase within the current sheet to form a; roughly pressure balanced structure. Field rotation and change in the; dynamic pressure during this event modify the reconnection zones at the; magnetopause and cause an inward motion of this boundary.

VIVO