火星磁层顶形成和变化的理论研究

考虑太阳风动压与行星电离层中的带电粒子热压及磁压之和平衡,建立了有大气（电离层）的行星磁层顶形成的理论模型,结合卫星对火星的观测数据,对子午面内向日侧火星磁层顶位形进行了数值计算和分析,研究了火星磁层顶位形及其与太阳风动压之间的变化关系．结果认为,火星磁层顶位形与地球磁层顶相似．太阳风动压越大,火星磁层顶越靠近火星;太阳风动压越弱,火星磁层顶越远离火星．根据火星内秉磁矩从古到今逐渐减小的观点,探索了大尺度磁场（内禀磁矩）对火星磁层顶的贡献作用,结果认为大尺度磁场越强,火星磁层顶越远离行星．这对于进一步研究火星磁层的长期演化以及其他行星磁层的位形变化都具有重要的意义．     

Long period magnetospheric oscillations at discrete frequencies: The results of a multi-station analysis

A multi-station analysis of geomagnetic field measurements conducted for a remarkable case event, at a European and an American array shows that, although several aspects of the geomagnetic field observations show a clear latitudinal and local time dependence, simultaneous oscillations at discrete frequencies (f ≈ 1.0, 1.3, 2.2 and 3.2 mHz) are almost ubiquitously detected, from low to high latitudes both in the light and dark sector. They are driven by fluctuations of the solar wind density and dynamic pressure at the same frequencies, via the modulation of the magnetopause current. We also report clear evidence for the occurrence of resonant coupling (at f ≈ 2.2 and 3.2 mHz) between such modes and high latitude field lines. Due to the variable length of the field line through the day, oscillation modes at the same frequencies resonate at different latitudes in the daytime and nighttime region, respectively.     

The Low-Latitude Boundary Layer at the Flanks of the Magnetopause

This is a brief overview on what we know and do not know about the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) at the flanks of the magnetotail. On the basis of recent observations, simulations and theories we conclude that reconnection is the dominant process in generating the LLBL and its structure probably even under northward IMF conditions. Part of the LLBL always seems to be on open field lines. Possibly the LLBL possesses a double structure with its outer part open and inner part closed. Anomalous diffusive processes cannot sustain the LLBL but provide sufficient diffusivity for reconnection. Strong diffusion is only expected in narrow localized regions and can make the transition to superdiffusion. Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) is favoured for northward IMF, producing vortices at the tail flanks. Its contribution to efficient mass transport still remains questionable. Coupling of the LLBL to the ionosphere can strongly affect the internal structure of the LLBL, causing turbulent eddies and detachments of plasma blobs as also field-aligned currents and electron heating. The structure and dynamics of the LLBL are affected by field-aligned electric potentials that decouple the LLBL from the ionosphere. Non-ideal coupling simulations suggest that the dusk flank is decoupled, favouring KHI, while the dawn flank is dominated by currents and turbulence.     

A stationary bow shock model for plasmas: The spherical blunt obstacle problem

We present an analytic model of a stationary bow shock which describes the interaction between a supermagnetosonic ambient wind and an obstacle with spherical-like frontal shape. We develop expressions for the bow shock’s geometry and the physical properties of the plasma sheath as functions of the upstream conditions. The solution is limited to magnetic fields parallel to the upstream velocity. The model allows to use any value of the upstream alfvenic and sonic Mach numbers and the polytropic index (γ$\gamma$), pointing out the influence of γ$\gamma$ for the magnetosheath compression and the bow shock shape. When both Mach numbers are small, the upstream magnetic field intensity affects also the bow shock shape. We compare our results with other models finding important consistencies. We also compare our results with in-situ data, we fund a reasonable qualitative agreement; however, it seems that our model underestimates the magnetosheath size.     

远磁尾磁层顶位形的偏转

利用WIND和ARTEMIS卫星观测数据,分析远磁尾磁层顶对行星际和太阳风变化的响应,尤其是偏离日地连线的太阳风速度改变对远磁尾磁层顶的影响.研究发现在2011年9月13日的事件中,P2卫星观测到高速且高密度的磁鞘流.利用最小变量法进行分析发现,磁层顶沿着偏离日地连线的太阳风速度方向发生偏转.根据相似三角形定理,推断出本次事件中磁层顶在y方向和z方向上的偏转幅度分别达到10R_e和6R_e.P1和P2卫星的相对位置也证实了这一观点.因此,偏离日地连线的太阳风速度对远磁尾磁层顶的位形影响很大.研究结果可为建立包含太阳风速度v_y和v_z效应的磁层顶模型提供观测证据.     

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轴向统计分析

磁层顶通量传输事件（Flux Transfer Event,FTE）与磁重联相关,其典型特征为磁场法向分量的双极变化.在不同FTE模型里,FTE结构可能为重联的通量管、由多X线重联形成的闭合磁通量绳或者由单X线重联形成的开放磁场环,从而在磁层顶有不同的整体位形.使用一种新的轴向分析方法,对Cluster在一个向阳面磁层顶穿越季观测到的505个FTE进行统计研究.结果表明：在磁层顶中低纬度的侧翼,大多数FTE轴向均为沿磁层磁力线方向即南北方向,少数FTE轴向沿着不同于磁层磁力线方向的东西方向;在高纬磁层顶,大多数FTE轴向沿东西方向,少数FTE轴向沿着磁层磁力线方向即南北方向.这些统计特征有助于重新认识FTE的全球形态.     

MHD surface waves – a source of global magnetospheric modes (resonances)?

Various mechanisms have been proposed for explanation of the global magnetospheric modes whose frequency peaks are in the frequency range 1–4 mHz. Recent papers claim: basic characteristics of the 1–4 mHz activity events observed on ground give evidences for an existence of MHD surface mode excited on the Earth magnetopause. The discrete frequencies of such MHD surface wave modes suggest an emergence of standing wave structures along the magnetic field lines lying on the magnetopause. Such discrete frequencies of MHD surface waves on magnetopause however, are not stable, at all. Contrariwise, MHD surface wave modes supported by the two plasma boundaries – the magnetopause and the plasmapause, are in accordance with existing experimental facts: discrete set of almost stable frequencies, field amplitude peaks and positions, energy dissipation, and field distribution from high to low latitudes. Mechanisms of the global magnetospheric mode resonance are pointed out as well as tools for their identification and discrimination.     

On the modular approach of a 3D model of the system magnetosheath–magnetosphere

This article presents some preliminary features of a new self consistent model of the system magnetosheath–magnetosphere, recently developed in the Institute of Mechanics, Sofia, Bulgaria. The flow in the magnetosheath is governed by 3D ideal gas-dynamic equations. The positions and the shapes of the bow shock and the magnetopause are calculated iteratively as a part of the solution. These surfaces are essentially three-dimensional (generally non-axially-symmetric). The self-consistency between the regions is ensured via the boundary conditions. The magnetopause cusp indentations are formed, influencing essentially the magnetosheath flow. Prediction of the position and the shape of the bow shock for different values of the sonic Mach number are derived. Distribution of some flow parameters in the magnetosheath is presented. 3D numerical finite element model, calculating the field due to the magnetopause currents for an arbitrary magnetopause geometry, is used in the magnetosphere. The fields due to the current systems inside the magnetosphere(cross-tail current, ring current, and Birkeland current) are taken from the Tsyganenko empirical model. The magnetopause surface is calculated from the requirement the outside gas-dynamic pressure to be balanced by the magnetic pressure inside. The magnetosphere model can be viewed as an improved version of the empirical model but with more realistic magnetopause form and shielding field. Not a final but a beta version is used in this approach. The final model version as well the model details will be presented elsewhere.     

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。