2001年1月26日高纬磁层顶通量管事件的观测研究

2001年1月26日11:10～11:40UT, ClusterⅡ卫星簇位于午后高纬磁鞘边界层和磁鞘区,此 时行星际磁场Bz为南向. 本文对在此期间观测到的多次磁通量管事件作了详细的研究 ,获得一系列的新发现：（1）高纬磁鞘边界层磁通量管的出现具有准周期性,周期约为78s ,比目前已知的磁层顶向阳面FTE的平均周期（8～11min）小得多. （2）这些通量管都具有 强的核心磁场;其主轴多数在磁场最小变化方向,少数在中间变化方向,有些无法用PAA判 定其方向（需要用电流管PAA确定）,这与卫星穿越通量管的相对路径有关. （3）每个事件 都存在很好的HT参考系,在HT参考系中这些通量管是准定常态结构;所有通量管都沿磁层顶 表面运动,速度方向大体相同,都来自晨侧下方. 通量管的径向尺度为1～2RE, 与通 常的FTE通量管相当. （4）起源于磁层的强能离子大体上沿着管轴方向由磁层向磁鞘运动; 起源于太阳风的热等离子体沿管轴向磁层传输. 通量管为太阳风等离子体向磁层输运和磁层 粒子向行星际空间逃逸提供了通道. （5）每个通量管事件都伴随有晨昏电场的反转,该电 场为对流电场.     

2001年3月2日磁通量传输事件特性的研究

2001年3月2日11:00 至11:15 UT 期间,Cluster Ⅱ在南半球极尖区晨侧附近磁鞘内探测到3个通量传输事件（简称FTEs）. 本文利用Cluster Ⅱ星簇4颗卫星观测到的磁场和等离子体资料研究了这些通量传输事件的磁场形态和粒子特征. 并利用它们探测到的空间磁场梯度资料由安培定律直接求出星簇所在区域的电流分布. 结果指出：（1）BY占优势的行星际磁场结构在磁层顶的重联可以在极尖区附近发生;（2）FTEs通量管形成初期内外总压差和磁箍缩应力不一定平衡,达到平衡有一发展过程;（3）FTEs通量管截面在L M平面内的线度约为1.89RE;（4）FTEs通量管中等离子体主要沿轴向场方向流动,整个通量管以慢于背景等离子体的速度沿磁层顶向南向尾运动;（5）FTEs通量管中不仅有轴向电流,也存在环向电流. 轴向电流基本沿轴向磁场方向流动. 轴向和环向电流在管内均呈体分布,因而轴向电流产生的环向磁场接近管心时不断减小到零,而环向电流生成的轴向场则不断增大到极值;（6）在通量管的磁鞘部分观测到磁层能量粒子流量的增强,这表明通量管通过磁层顶将磁鞘和磁层内部连通起来了.     

通量传输事件磁场的理论计算及其与观测的比较

根据涡旋诱发重联理论,对通量传输事件（FTEs）磁场分布特性作了计算.结果表明,卫星测到的FTEs的不同磁场分布形态,是取决于通量管的运动方向及卫星穿越通量管的部位.在北半球,当通量管由低纬向高纬（由南向北）直向运动时,不论卫星通过什么部位,绝大多数情况下观测到先正后负的B_x,变化（即正FTE）,个别部位观测到先负后正的B_x变化（即反FTE）;B_z是单峰分布形式,表现为V型、倒V型或是U型和倒U型.当通量管在x方向有正或负速度分量即斜向运动时,大部分部位测到的B_x呈不规则变化,B_z表现为双极分布.与61个FTEs的观测实例作了对比,理论计算与观测符合得较好.     

2004年3月18日高纬磁层顶多重通量管事件分析

2004-03-18 23:10～23:50 UT期间，“双星（Double Star）”探测一号卫星（TC 1）在向阳面磁层顶高纬晨侧由内向外穿越磁层顶，其时TC_1的GSM坐标为 (75RE, -55RE, -54RE), RE为地球半径.穿越过程中TC_1观测到了8个通量管和1个磁通量传输事件（FTEs）.在此期间Cluster星簇位于向阳面太阳风内，其GSM坐标为(180RE, -31RE, -62RE)，其4颗卫星监测到行星际磁场（IMF）的BZ分量持续南向，BＹ有较大的负值.本文的研究表明：TC_1观测到的前7个通量管具有准周期重现性，周期大约是1～4 min，明显小于以前所观测到的FTEs的平均周期(8～11 min)；所有的通量管都具有较强的核心场.本文分别使用最小方差分析法（MVA）和Grad_Shafranov反演方法（GSR）对通量管的轴向进行了分析和对比，发现所有的通量管主轴基本沿晨昏向，结果显示GSR方法在轴向分析上比MVA优越.本文使用GSR方法对通量管的磁场结构进行了分析，恢复出了通量管的磁场在卫星穿越面的结构图；此外，本文还对这次多重通量管事件进行了deHoffmann Teller(HT)分析，结果表明，所有通量管大致朝南极方向运动，均来源于向日面低纬区域.这说明它们可能起源于向日面低纬区，由该区的磁场分量重联产生.     

2004年2月11日Cluster卫星和CUTLASS雷达同时观测的磁通量传输事件

本文分析了2004年2月11日11:00～11:40 UT期间Cluster卫星簇的磁通门磁力计FGM）、等离子体电子及电流试验仪（PEACE）和CUTLASS 芬兰雷达对多个磁通量传输事件(FTEs)的同时观测. 在此期间,Cluster卫星簇位于北半球外极隙区附近,并于11:18 UT左右穿出磁层顶进入磁鞘,四颗卫星同时观测到了多个FTEs, 其出现具有准周期性,周期约为130 s. 利用Cluster四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,我们推断这些FTEs是尺度大小约为(0.87～1.81)R_E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. CUTLASS芬兰雷达在相应的电离层区域观测到了明显的“极向运动雷达极光”结构,这些结构与Cluster卫星簇观测的FTEs有着很好的对应关系,它们是FTEs的雷达观测特征.     

涡旋诱发重联模型（Ⅱ）——通量传输事件理论和模拟

本文应用涡旋诱发重联理论研究了地球磁层顶区发生的瞬时局部重联现象.对向阳面磁顶区通量传输事件(FTEs)的形成、结构和运动进行了理论和模拟研究,并与卫星观测结果作了比较.结果表明,涡旋诱发重联可能是产生FTEs的重要机制.利用这一理论模型能解释FTEs的一些主要观测现象.此外,对背阳面磁顶区的局部重联从理论上作了分析,指出在背阳面磁顶区可能存在类似于向阳面磁顶区的通量传输事件.     

2001年1月26日高纬磁层顶通量管事件的观测研究--空间电流密度计算及分析

讨论了三种根据Cluster Ⅱ四颗卫星的磁场测量数据计算空间电流的方法及其误差,论证了这几种方法的内在一致性,并得到了完全相同的计算结果. 进而依据Cluster Ⅱ 磁场探测资料,计算了2001年1月26日多重磁通量管和FTE事件中高纬磁层顶边界层和磁鞘区的电流密度. 结果表明,磁通量管内电流密度较大,可达到约10-8A/m2;计算精度较高,结果可靠. 本文还应用最小方差分析法（MVA）,发现电流方向与通量管的轴向基本一致;论证了电流MVA分析在研究通量管性质时的作用,同时提出了电流管的概念.     

高纬磁层顶位形统计分析

本文收集了1226个来自Cluster、Geotail、GOES、IMP8、Interball、LANL、Polar、TC1、THEMIS和Wind卫星磁层顶穿越事例,并主要利用时间推移使上游行星际磁场clock angle或等离子体变化特征与磁鞘中的相吻合方法为这些数据配对上来自ACE或Wind卫星5 min平均值太阳风数据.通过对这些数据以及网上公布的1482个Hawkeye卫星磁层顶穿越点数据分析研究,发现：（1）高纬磁层顶在极隙区存在内凹结构,其内凹范围比较大;（2）磁层顶内凹位置明显受地磁偶极倾角控制,最内凹点所对应的天顶角和地磁偶极倾角大致呈线性关系,这种关系在南北半球大致呈反对称;（3）磁层顶内凹深度、内凹范围以及内凹中心不变纬度基本不受地磁偶极倾角影响.     

地球磁层顶K-H不稳定性与撕裂模的耦合及涡旋撕裂模不稳定性

本文用二维MHD数值模拟研究了地球磁层顶同时存在速度剪切和磁场剪切时Kelvin-Helmholtz不稳定性（K-H）和撕裂模不稳定性（TM）的耦合过程。在雷诺数和磁雷诺数确定时,Alfvèn马赫数值（M_A）对耦合特性起决定性作用。在本文选取的参数条件下,若M_A<0.4,自发TM占主导地位;当0.4≤M_A<1.4时,TM受到K-H明显调制;如果M_A≥1.4,K-H引起的涡旋运动起控制作用,导致一种新的不稳定性产生。该不稳定性称作涡旋撕裂模不稳定性。其饱和后长时间渐近状态由一个大尺度的流体涡旋和同心磁岛组成。在地球磁层顶通量传输事件（FTEs）中它可能起着重要作用。     

电离层电导对地球磁层顶和舷激波尺度的影响

本文在如下假定下分析电离层电导对地球磁层顶和舷激波尺度的影响：（1）对电离层采用球壳近似,Pedersen电导Σ_P均匀,Hall电导为零;（2）地磁偶极矩处于正南方向,行星际磁场（IMF）只有南向分量（B_z<0）.磁层顶和舷激波的尺度分别由它们与GSE坐标系三个轴的交点,即日下点、晨昏侧翼点和南北顶点的地心距离表征.对给定的太阳风条件、B_z和Σ_P,通过三维全球MHD模拟获得系统的准定态.结果表明,在大约1～5 S范围内,Σ_P值显著影响磁层顶和舷激波的尺度,而在该范围之外则几乎没有影响.随着Σ_P的增加,磁层顶和舷激波整体向外扩张,前者的扩张程度低于后者,以至磁鞘区的范围扩大.磁层顶的侧翼点的位置随Σ_P的变化与B_z的幅度有关：在弱南向IMF情况下磁层顶的侧翼点随Σ_P的增加向内移动,而在强南向IMF情况下则向外移动.上述结果表明,在构建磁层顶和舷激波的经验模型时,有必要计入电离层电导的影响.     

Cluster Observes the High-Altitude CUSP Region

This paper gives an overview of Cluster observations in the high-altitude cusp region of the magnetosphere. The low and mid-altitude cusps have been extensively studied previously with a number of low-altitude satellites, but only little is known about the distant part of the magnetospheric cusps. During the spring-time, the trajectory of the Cluster fleet is well placed for dayside, high-altitude magnetosphere investigations due to its highly eccentric polar orbit. Wide coverage of the region has resulted and, depending on the magnetic dipole tilt and the solar wind conditions, the spacecraft are susceptible to encounter: the plasma mantle, the high-altitude cusp, the dayside magnetosphere (i.e. dayside plasma sheet) and the distant exterior cusp diamagnetic cavity. The spacecraft either exit into the magnetosheath through the dayside magnetopause or through the exterior cusp–magnetosheath interface. This paper is based on Cluster observations made during three high-altitude passes. These were chosen because they occurred during different solar wind conditions and different inter-spacecraft separations. In addition, the dynamic nature of the cusp allowed all the aforementioned regions to be sampled with different order, duration and characteristics. The analysis deals with observations of: (1) both spatial and temporal structures at high-altitudes in the cusp and plasma mantle, (2) signatures of possible steady reconnection, flux transfer events (FTE) and plasma transfer events (PTE), (3) intermittent cold (<100 eV) plasma acceleration associated with both plasma penetration and boundary motions, (4) energetic ions (5–40 keV) in the exterior cusp diamagnetic cavity and (5) the global structure of the exterior cusp and its direct interface with the magnetosheath. The analysis is primarily focused on ion and magnetic field measurements. By use of these recent multi-spacecraft Cluster observations we illustrate the current topics under debate pertaining to the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction, for which this region is known to be of major importance.     

MHD model of magnetosheath flow: comparison with AMPTE/IRM observations on 24 October, 1985

We compare numerical results obtained from a steady-state MHD model of solar wind flow past the terrestrial magnetosphere with documented observations made by the AMPTE/IRM spacecraft on 24 October, 1985, during an inbound crossing of the magnetosheath. Observations indicate that steady conditions prevailed during this about 4 hour-long crossing. The magnetic shear at spacecraft entry into the magnetosphere was 15°. A steady density decrease and a concomitant magnetic field pile-up were observed during the 40 min interval just preceding the magnetopause crossing. In this plasma depletion layer (1) the plasma beta dropped to values below unity; (2) the flow speed tangential to the magnetopause was enhanced; and (3) the local magnetic field and velocity vectors became increasingly more orthogonal to each other as the magnetopause was approached (Phan et al., 1994). We model parameter variations along a spacecraft orbit approximating that of AMPTE/IRM, which was at slightly southern GSE latitudes and about 1.5 h postnoon Local Time. We model the magnetopause as a tangential discontinuity, as suggested by the observations, and take as input solar wind parameters those measured by AMPTE/IRM just prior to its bow shock crossing. We find that computed field and plasma profiles across the magnetosheath and plasma depletion layer match all observations closely. Theoretical predictions on stagnation line flow near this low-shear magnetopause are confirmed by the experimental findings. Our theory does not give, and the data on this pass do not show, any localized density enhancements in the inner magnetosheath region just outside the plasma depletion layer.     

A flux transfer event observed at the magnetopause by the Equator-S spacecraft and in the ionosphere by the CUTLASS HF radar

Observations of a flux transfer event (FTE) have been made simultaneously by the Equator-S spacecraft near the dayside magnetopause whilst corresponding transient plasma flows were seen in the near-conjugate polar ionosphere by the CUTLASS Finland HF radar. Prior to the occurrence of the FTE, the magnetometer on the WIND spacecraft ≈226 R_E upstream of the Earth in the solar wind detected a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) which is estimated to have reached the subsolar magnetopause ≈77 min later. Shortly afterwards the Equator-S magnetometer observed a typical bipolar FTE signature in the magnetic field component normal to the magnetopause, just inside the magnetosphere. Almost simultaneously the CUTLASS Finland radar observed a strong transient flow in the F region plasma between 78° and 83° magnetic latitude, near the ionospheric region predicted to map along geomagnetic field lines to the spacecraft. The flow signature (and the data set as a whole) is found to be fully consistent with the view that the FTE was formed by a burst of magnetopause reconnection.     

Multiple Flux Rope Events at the High-Latitude Magnetopause: Cluster/Rapid Observation on 26 January, 2001

Cluster measurements of the cusp and high latitude magnetopause boundary on 26 January, 2001 confirm that the cusp is a dynamic region full of energetic charged particles and turbulence. An energetic ion layer at high-latitudes beyond and adjacent to the duskside magnetopause exists when the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) has a southward orientation. Multiple energetic ion flux bursts were observed in the energetic ion layer. Each energetic ion flux burst was closely related to a magnetic flux rope. The axes of the flux ropes lie in the direction pointing duskward/tailward and somewhat upward. An intense axis-aligned current flows inside the ropes, with the current density reaching ∼10⁻⁸ A/m². The main components of the energetic ions are protons, helium and CNO ions, which originate from the magnetosphere, flowing out into the magnetosheath along the axis of the flux ropes. The velocity of the magnetosheath thermal plasma relative to the deHoffman-Teller (DHT) frame is found to be basically along the axis of the flux ropes also, but towards the magnetosphere. These flux ropes seem to be produced somewhere away via magnetic reconnection and move at similar DHT velocities passing over the spacecraft. These observations further confirm that the high-latitude magnetopause boundary region plays an important role in the solar wind-magnetopause coupling.     

Polarization of compressible turbulent fluctuations in the solar wind plasma

Compressible fluctuations in solar wind plasma are analyzed on the basis of the 1995–2010 WIND and Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft data. In the low-speed solar wind (V ₀ < 430 km/s), correlations between fluctuations in the magnetic field direction and plasma density, as well as between velocity fluctuations and plasma density, are found. The covariance functions of these parameters calculated as functions of the local magnetic field direction are axially symmetric relative to the axis, which is oriented nearly along the regular magnetic field of the heliosphere (the Parker spiral). Fluctuations in the magnetic field and velocity are polarized in the plane that is orthogonal to the axis of symmetry. Plasma oscillations of these properties can be caused by fast magnetosonic waves propagating from the Sun along the Parker spiral.