TC-1和Cluster对向阳侧磁层顶通量传输事件的联合观测研究

2004年2至4月期间,探测一号(TC-1)卫星和Cluster卫星有25次同时处在向阳侧磁层顶附近的磁鞘内,TC-1卫星在低纬区,Cluster卫星在中高纬区.利用这一期间两卫星探测到的27个通量传输事件(FTE),分析行星际磁场(IMF)横向分量BT={By,Bz}对磁层顶重联发生位置的影响,以及分量重联的观测事实,得到如下主要结果.(1)当IMF南向分量Bz占优势(|Bz|＞|By|)时,FTE大多(约占87.5%)能在低纬观测到,而当IMF By分量占优势(|Bz|＜|By|)时,则FTE大部分能在中高纬观测到(占84.2%);(2)很少观测到相关联的事件(关联事件指在低纬生成的FTE,向高纬运动中先后被TC-1卫星和Cluster卫星探测到的事件),表明在低纬形成的FTE可能大多沿磁层顶两侧滑向磁尾,只有少数可能运动到高纬地区;(3)中纬地区探测到的FTE大多是以分量重联方式产生于该区,而非来自磁赤道附近成对形成的FTE.      

MMS星座对磁层顶磁通量绳内离子惯性尺度结构的观测

利用MMS观测数据,对磁层顶通量绳内离子惯性尺度（d_i）的结构进行分析研究.结果发现,许多不同尺度（约1d_i至数十d_i）的通量绳内都存在具有d_i尺度的电流 j _m,其方向在磁层顶局地坐标系的-M方向,即与磁层顶查普曼-费拉罗电流同向,由电子在+M方向的运动（ v _em）携带.这些电流结构具有以下特征:磁鞘与磁层成分混合,磁场为开放形态;离子去磁化,电子与磁场冻结;N方向（即垂直于磁层顶电流片方向）的电场 E _n显著增大,幅度达到约20mV·m-1,并伴有明显的尖峰状起伏,该增强和尖峰状起伏的电场对应于霍尔电场.分析表明,电流、电子与离子运动的偏离以及霍尔电场之间遵从广义欧姆定律,三者密切关联.进一步对磁层顶磁重联的探测数据进行分析发现,在很多重联区内也存在与通量绳内相似的结构,其尺度约为d_i量级,其中霍尔电场 E _N、电流 j _M和电子速度 v _eM均与通量绳内对应物理量的方向相同且幅度相近.基于上述观测事实,采用经典FTE通量绳模型,对通量绳内电流、电子运动和霍尔电场的起源进行了初步探讨,认为其来源于磁层顶无碰撞磁重联区内的相应结构,并且后者在离子尺度通量绳的形成过程中起到重要作用.      

磁层顶通量传输事件的经验重构

在地球磁层顶附近观测到的通量传输事件（Flux Transfer Event,FTE）一般被认为是瞬态局域磁重联的产物,是太阳风质量、动量和能量进入地球内磁层的重要通道.重构FTE的磁场结构可促进对其形成、演化过程及其与周围等离子体环境相互作用的理解.Grad-Shafranov重构法和磁通量绳拟合法等传统磁场重构方法适用于满足特定物理条件的磁场结构.基于平面线性插值原理,设计了一种不受具体物理条件限定的二维FTE磁场结构重构法.模型测试以及对THEMIS和Cluster卫星簇分别观测到的两个FTE的实际应用表明,在合适的多卫星位形条件下,该方法能快速有效重构出FTE的磁场空间分布,有助于推测FTE的磁场线位形,理解卫星测量数据的时间变化,以及分析等离子体物理量相对于FTE的磁场空间分布特征.      

基于能量色散特征计算磁层顶重联位置的方法研究

磁层顶磁场重联是太阳风向磁层输入能量的主要方式.重联如何触发一直是空间物理研究的难点,其机制仍然有待深入研究.由于卫星穿越磁层顶时,很难恰好穿越重联发生的区域,因此难以观测到重联的触发条件.本文利用THEMIS卫星观测,确立了反演磁层顶重联点的方法.当重联刚开始发生时,卫星能够观测到离子的能量色散特征,可利用其计算卫星到重联发生位置的距离.沿着磁力线模型追踪该距离即可反演出磁层顶发生重联的位置.与其他方法进行了对比分析,结果显示本文方法比其他方法具有更高的精度.      

通量传输事件相关的动力学磁场湍流观测研究

THEMIS卫星观测到通量传输事件（FTE）的同时,也在磁层侧涡流区域观测到强磁场扰动现象.利用快速傅里叶变换分析磁场扰动频谱特征发现:大约在FTE的扰动频率（约0.1Hz）处,功率谱密度达到峰值;在质子回旋频率（约1Hz）至64Hz的频段内,功率谱密度随着频率的增大而减小,服从幂律分布P₀ f-α.因此,可以认为这些磁场扰动为低纬边界层中的动力学磁场湍流.研究结果表明,当低纬边界层（Low Latitude Boundary Layer,LLBL）中卫星相对磁层顶或FTE的位置越来越远时,功率谱密度与功率谱斜率α（幂律指数）降低,但FTE所在的方位角或低纬磁层顶的磁地方时对幂律指数α和功率谱密度没有显著影响.这些观测特征表明移动的FTE是磁场湍流的源.磁层顶上的大规模扰动（如FTE）和相关的磁场湍流从动力学尺度揭示了磁鞘与磁层的类黏滞相互作用.然而低纬边界层中FTE磁层侧涡流形成所需的黏滞性是否可由磁场湍流来提供还需要验证.      

极向运动极光结构和喉区极光光学观测特征的对比分析

利用中国北极黄河站高时间分辨率的三波段全天空成像仪极光观测数据,联合太阳风和行星际磁场等观测,分析了极向运动极光结构（PMAFs）和喉区极光的形成及演化特征.研究发现:一系列PMAFs与喉区极光事件同时出现在观测视野中,其中PMAFs主要发生在日侧极隙区极光卵赤道向边界的极向一侧,沿东西方向分布,点亮后向高纬运动;喉区极光紧靠PMAF一侧发生,从极光卵赤道向边界向低纬延伸,沿南北方向分布,点亮后向高纬偏西方向运动;观测期间PMAFs发生频率高于喉区极光;当PMAFs与喉区极光同时出现时,PMAFs可以与喉区极光几乎同时出现或略晚于喉区极光出现,持续时间较喉区极光短.观测结果表明:与PMAF相对应的磁层顶重联过程和与喉区极光对应的磁层顶凹陷导致的磁重联过程在日侧磁层顶上的相邻区域分别发生,两种极光事件的形成过程相对独立,可能不存在相互触发关系.      

行星际磁场北向时磁层顶区磁场重联的全球模式

在对背阳面磁层顶区局域磁场重联模拟的基础上提出了一个行星际磁场北向时磁层顶磁场重联的全球模式。行星际磁场北向时碰层顶磁场重联导致近地尾瓣的能量被输送到远磁尾,太阳风能量不在磁尾储存,向阳面磁层顶变厚,磁层受到一系列扰动。      

地球磁尾的电场模式

地球磁层中的电场是磁层等离子体运动的主要驱动力。目前常用的磁层电场为均匀晨昏电场和投影电场。本文假定磁力线为电场的等位线，地球电离层电场看做磁层电场沿磁力线在电离层的投影。利用Tsyganenko磁场模式（T89），沿磁力线反电离层电场投影到磁尾，得到了一个新的磁层电场模式。文中对偶极磁场和T89磁场模式下的投影场作了比较，说明本模式突破了偶极磁场的局限，在磁层有更大的适用范围。     

2004年3月13日TC-1和Cluster卫星联合观测的磁通量传输事件

分析了2004年3月13日12:15到12:25UT期间TC-1和Cluster卫星簇的磁通门磁力计(FGM)和电子/电流试验仪(PEACE)的联合观测数据.在此期间,TC-1卫星位于日下点以南的磁层顶附近的磁鞘中,并在12:19UT左右观测到了一个典型的先正后负的磁鞘磁通量传输事件(FTE);而Cluster卫星簇位于北半球日侧高纬磁层项附近,并于12:23UT左右穿出磁层顶进入磁鞘,且在12:21 UT左右也观测到了一个典型的先正后负的磁层FTE.比较分析发现此两个FTE具有类似的磁场结构和等离子体特征,可能是同一个北向运动的FTE先后被TC-1和Cluster卫星观测到.利用Cluster 4颗卫星的多点同时观测数据,采用最小方向微分法和时空微分方法,推断Cluster卫星观测的这个FTE是尺度大小约为1.21Re的准二维结构,其运动方向为东北方向,与Cooling模型预测方向基本一致.利用Cooling模型的预测,推算了TC-1卫星在12:19UT观测的FTE的运动速度和尺度,进而得出随着通量管的极向运动,其速度和尺度均有所增加.     

磁层顶低混杂漂移不稳定性及等离子体幔、磁层对流的形成机制

磁层顶低混杂漂移不稳定性的理论和观测使我们可以提出一个新的磁层对流驱动模式,为了解释磁层对流的形成、磁层顶厚度等一系列磁层现象,已经提出了三种磁层模式,Dunge提出互联模式,认为行星际磁场磁力线与地磁场磁力线在磁层顶前部相互联接起来,磁层顶为一旋转间断面,太阳风粒子可直接通过磁层顶进入磁层内,虽然这一     

向阳面磁顶区可压缩涡旋诱发重联模拟研究:通量传输事件的形成和结构

本文用二维可压缩MHD模型,模拟研究了向阳面磁顶区的涡旋诱发重联过程。重联过程的结果形成了同心的磁流体涡旋。同时还对可压缩模型与不可压缩模型的异同点作了对比研究。结果表明,在同样条件下,可压缩情况的涡旋发展的增长率比不可压缩情况慢;结构特性无显著变化。本文指出,涡旋诱发重联是产生通量传输事件的一种重要机制。通量传输管可看作为磁流体涡旋管。对通量传输事件诸物理量(磁场、速度、密度、压力和温度)的分布特性作了模拟研究,可解释FTEs的主要观测特性。      

Global Hybrid Simulation of Magnetic Reconnection in the Magnetosheath

A three-dimensional (3-D) global hybrid simulation is carried out for the generation and structure of magnetic reconnection in the magnetosheath due to interaction of an interplanetary Tangential Discontinuity (TD) with the bow shock and magnetosphere. Runs are performed for solar wind TDs possessing different initial half-widths. As the TD propagates through the bow shock toward the magnetopause, it is greatly narrowed by a two-step compression processes, a "shock compression' followed by a subsequent ``convective compression'. In cases with a relatively thin solar wind TD, 3-D patchy reconnection is initiated in the transmitted TD, forming magnetosheath flux ropes. Multiple components of ion particles are present in the velocity distribution in the magnetosheath merging, accompanied by ion heating. For cases with a relatively wide initial TD, a dominant single X-line appears in the subsolar magnetosheath after the transmitted TD is narrowed. A shock analysis is performed for the detailed structure of magnetic reconnection in the magnetosheath. Rotational Discontinuity (RD)/Time-Dependent Intermediate Shock (TDIS) are found to dominate the reconnection layer, which and some weak slow shocks are responsible for the ion heating and acceleration.      

Magnetospheric Boundary Layer Structure and Dynamics as Seen From Cluster and Double Star Measurements

In this review, we discuss the structure and dynamics of the magnetospheric Low-Latitude Boundary Layer (LLBL) based on recent results from multi-satellite missions Cluster and Double Star. This boundary layer, adjacent to the magnetopause on the magnetospheric side, usually consists of a mixture of plasma of magnetospheric and magnetosheath origins, and plays an important role in the transfer of mass and energy from the solar wind into the magnetosphere and subsequent magnetospheric dynamics. During southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) conditions, this boundary layer is generally considered to be formed as a result of the reconnection process between the IMF and magnetospheric magnetic field lines at the dayside magnetopause, and the structure and plasma properties inside the LLBL can be understood in terms of the time history since the reconnection process. During northward IMF conditions, the LLBL is usually thicker, and has more complex structure and topology. Recent observations confirm that the LLBL observed at the dayside can be formed by single lobe reconnection, dual lobe reconnection, or by sequential dual lobe reconnection, as well as partially by localized cross-field diffusion. The LLBL magnetic topology and plasma signatures inside the different sub-layers formed by these processes are discussed in this review. The role of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the formation of the LLBL at the flank magnetopause is also discussed. Overall, we conclude that the LLBL observed at the flanks can be formed by the combination of processes, (dual) lobe reconnection and plasma mixing due to non-linear Kelvin-Helmholtz waves.      

Effect of the Interplanetary Electric Field on the Magnetopause From Global MHD Simulations

The north-south component B_z of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) and solar wind dynamic pressure P_d are generally treated as the two main factors in the solar wind that determine the geometry of the magnetosphere. By using the 3D global MHD simulations, we investigate the effect of the Interplanetary Electric Field (IEF) on the size and shape of magnetopause quantitatively. Our numerical experiments confirm that the geometry of the magnetopause are mainly determined by P_dB_z, as expected. However, the dawn-dusk IEFs have great impact on the magnetopause erosion because of the magnetic reconnection, thus affecting the size and shape of the magnetopause. Higher solar wind speed with the same B_z will lead to bigger dawn-dusk IEFs, which means the higher reconnection rate, and then results in more magnetic flux removal from the dayside. Consequently, the dayside magnetopause moves inward and flank magnetopause moves outward.      

Numerical study of magnetic reconnection possibly occurring near heliospheric current sheet

The third-order accurate upwind compact difference scheme has been applied for the numerical study of the magnetic reconnection driven by a plasma blob impacting the heliospheric current sheet, under the framework of the two-dimensional compressible magnetohydrodynamics. The results show that the driven reconnection near the current sheet could occur in about 10–30 min for the interplanetary high magnetic Reynolds number, R_M = 2000–10,000, a stable magnetic reconnection structure can be formed in hour order of magnitude, and there appear some basic properties such as the multiple X-line reconnections, vortex structures, filament current systems, splitting and collapse of the high-density plasma blob. These results are helpful in understanding and identifying the magnetic reconnection phenomena possibly occurring near the heliospheric current sheets.     

Intrinsic time scale for reconnection on the dayside magnetopause

Recently much attention has been focused on the transient behavior of the magnetopause in response to pressure pulses and southward fluctuations of the interplanetary magnetic field. We examine the motion of the magnetopause behind the foreshock and conclude that this motion is affected by foreshock pressure variations but not by fluctuations in the direction of the magnetic field. Neither magnetopause erosion nor flux transfer event occurrence is controlled by the foreshock. On the contrary, flux transfer events occur at times of steady IMF and thier quasi-periodic behavior is controlled by the magnetopause or the magnetosphere and is not driven by the external boundary conditions. Since flux transfer events are clearly due to reconnection, this observation implies that the IMF must be southward some time perhaps as long as 7 minutes before flux transfer begins.     

ISEE-1 and -2 observations of magnetotail flux ropes: FTEs in the plasma sheet?

ISEE-1 and 2 observations from about 20 Re down the near-Earth magnetotail indicate the presence of magnetic flux ropes in the neutral sheet. Magnetic and electric field and fast plasma data show that these structures convect across the spacecraft at speeds of 200–600-km/s, and have scale sizes of roughly 3–5-Re. The rope axis orientation is approximately cross-tail. Their magnetic structure is similar to Venus ionospheric flux ropes, and to flux transfer events at the dayside magnetopause. These structures may arise from patchy reconnection or tearing mode reconnection within the plasma sheet.