The location and rate of dayside reconnection during an interval of southward interplanetary magnetic field

Pinnock, M.; Chisham, G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1151-5934; Coleman, I.J.; Freeman, M.P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8653-8279; Hairston, M.; Villain, J.-P.. 2003 The location and rate of dayside reconnection during an interval of southward interplanetary magnetic field. Annales Geophysicae, 21 (7). 1467-1482. https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-21-1467-2003

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Abstract/Summary

Using ionospheric data from the SuperDARN radar network and a DMSP satellite we obtain a comprehensive description of the spatial and temporal pattern of dayside reconnection. During a period of southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the data are used to determine the location of the ionospheric projection of the dayside magnetopause reconnection X-line. From the flow of plasma across the projected X-line, we derive the reconnection rate across 7 h of longitude and estimate it for the total length of the X-line footprint, which was found to be 10 h of longitude. Using the Tsyganenko 96 magnetic field model, the ionospheric data are mapped to the magnetopause, in order to provide an estimate of the extent of the reconnection X-line. This is found to be similar to38 R(E)in extent, spanning the whole dayside magnetopause from dawn to dusk flank. Our results are compared with previously reported encounters by the Equator-S and Geotail spacecraft with a reconnecting magnetopause, near the dawn flank, for the same period. The SuperDARN observations allow the satellite data to be set in the context of the whole magnetopause reconnection X-line. The total potential associated with dayside reconnection was similar to150 kV The reconnection signatures detected by the Equator-S satellite mapped to a region in the ionosphere showing continuous flow across the polar cap boundary, but the reconnection rate was variable and showed a clear spatial variation, with a distinct minimum at 14:00 magnetic local time which was present throughout the 30-min study period.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-21-1467-2003
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Magnetic Reconnection, Substorms and their Consequences
ISSN:	0992-7689
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open access journal
Additional Keywords:	magnetospheric physics, magnetopause, cusp and boundary layers, magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions, space plasma physics, magnetic reconnection
NORA Subject Terms:	Physics Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	22 Feb 2012 12:11 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/12933

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