Observational Aspects of Magnetic Reconnection at the Earth's Magnetosphere

Author(s)

Souza, Vitor M. ; Koga, Daiki ; Gonzalez, Walter D. ; Cardoso, Flavia R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Physics; v. 47, n. 4, p. 447-459, AUG 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Magnetic field reconnection has shown to be the dominant process in the solar wind-Earth's magnetosphere interaction. It enables mass, momentum, and energy exchange between different plasma regimes, and it is regarded as an efficient plasma acceleration and heating mechanism. Reconnection has been observed to occur in laboratory plasmas, at planetary magnetospheres in our Solar System, and the Sun. In this work, we focus on analyzing the characteristics of magnetic reconnection at the Earth's magnetosphere according to spaceborne observations in the vicinity of our planet. Firstly, the locations where magnetic field reconnection are expected to occur within the vast magnetospheric region are addressed, and is shown how they are influenced by changes in the interplanetary magnetic field direction. The main magnetic field and plasma signatures of magnetic reconnection are discussed from both theoretical and observational points of view. Spacecraft observations of ion inertial length scale reconnection are also presented. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/20104-0 - Numerical and observational approaches of magnetic reconnection at the Earth's MAGNETOPAUSE in light of the magnetospheric multi scale mission
• Grantee: Vitor Moura Cardoso e Silva Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 14/21229-9 - NUMERICAL AND OBSERVATIONAL ANALYSIS ON THE MACROSCOPIC ASPECT OF THE MAGNETIC RECONNECTION PROCESS AT EARTH'S DAYSIDE MAGNETOPAUSE
• Grantee: Vitor Moura Cardoso e Silva Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral