Asymmetric distribution of reconnection jet fronts in the Jovian nightside magnetosphere

Kasahara, S. and Kronberg, E. A. and Kimura, T. and Tao, C. and Badman, S. V. and Masters, A. and Retinò, A. and Krupp, N. and Fujimoto, M. (2013) Asymmetric distribution of reconnection jet fronts in the Jovian nightside magnetosphere. Journal of Geophysical Research, 118 (1). pp. 375-384. ISSN 0148-0227

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Abstract

Magnetic reconnection plays important roles in mass transport and energy conversion in planetary magnetospheres. It is considered that transient reconnection causes localized auroral arcs or spots in the Jovian magnetosphere, by analogy to the case in the Earth's magnetosphere. However, the local structures of transient reconnection events (i.e., magnetospheric plasma parameters) and their spatial distribution have not been extensively investigated for the Jovian magnetosphere. Here we examine plasma velocity and density during strong north-south magnetic field events in the Jovian nightside magnetosphere, which may be associated with tail reconnection. We find prominent reconnection jet fronts predominantly on the dawnside of the nightside magnetosphere, which would be a signature unique to rotation-dominant planetary magnetospheres. The observed plasma structures are consistent with significant field-aligned currents which would generate localized aurora.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Geophysical Research
Additional Information:
©2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1900/1901
Subjects:
?? reconnection jet frontsjovian magnetosphereearth and planetary sciences (miscellaneous)geophysicsatmospheric sciencespace and planetary science ??
ID Code:
67073
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
10 Oct 2013 09:31
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
08 Mar 2024 00:38