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Structures and Processes at the Mercury Magnetopause
KTH, Skolan för elektro- och systemteknik (EES), Rymd- och plasmafysik.ORCID-id: 0000-0002-9164-0761
2015 (engelsk)Licentiatavhandling, med artikler (Annet vitenskapelig)
Abstract [en]

The mechanism involved in the transfer of energy, momentum and plasma from the solar wind to any planetary magnetosphere is considered one of the more important topics in space plasma physics. With the use of the Mercury spacecraft MESSENGER’s (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) data, it has been possible to study these processes in an environment different, yet similar, to Earth’s. These data have resulted in unprecedented investigations advancing not only the extraterrestrial space plasma research, but also the general space physics field.

This work aims to investigate the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability at Mercury’s magnetopause, which is believed to be one of the main drivers for the transfer of matter and energy into Earth’s magnetosphere, and the low- latitude boundary layer (LLBL) which is in direct connection to the magnetopause. The studies use data from MESSENGER’s magnetometer (MAG) and fast imaging plasma spectrometer (FIPS) instruments during the first three years in orbit. Results show that KH waves are observed almost exclusively on the duskside magnetopause, something that has not been observed at Earth. In contrast, the LLBL shows an opposite asymmetry as it occurs more often on the dawnside. Both the KH instability and the LLBL are observed mainly during northward interplanetary magnetic field. This, together with the distinct opposite asymmetry, suggests that the KH instability and LLBL are somehow connected. Previous theoretical studies, simulations and observations have shown or indicated that the sodium ions have a large impact on the Hermean magnetospheric environment, including the boundary layer where the KH instability arises. One possibility is that the sodium ions also induce the observed dawn-dusk asymmetry in the LLBL. Another explanation could be that the LLBL on its own influences the KH wave occurrence by reducing the KH wave growth rates on the dawnside where most of the LLBLs are observed. Furthermore, observations agree with some formation mechanisms that should give rise to the observed dawn-dusk LLBL asymmetry.

The processes responsible for the dawn-dusk occurrence asymmetry in both the KH instability and the LLBL are yet to be confirmed. Future work may also include determination of the contribution of KH waves to the energy and plasma transfer from the solar wind to the Hermean magnetosphere.

 

sted, utgiver, år, opplag, sider
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2015. , s. xi, 32
Serie
TRITA-EE, ISSN 1653-5146 ; 2015:53
HSV kategori
Identifikatorer
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-174306ISBN: 978-91-7595-681-7 (tryckt)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-174306DiVA, id: diva2:858623
Presentation
2015-10-21, Alfvén lab’s seminar room, Teknikringen 31, KTH, Stockholm, 13:00 (engelsk)
Opponent
Veileder
Forskningsfinansiär
Swedish National Space Board, 566176
Merknad

QC 20151005

Tilgjengelig fra: 2015-10-05 Laget: 2015-10-02 Sist oppdatert: 2022-06-23bibliografisk kontrollert
Delarbeid
1. Statistical investigation of Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at the magnetopause of Mercury
Åpne denne publikasjonen i ny fane eller vindu >>Statistical investigation of Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at the magnetopause of Mercury
2014 (engelsk)Inngår i: Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics, ISSN 2169-9380, E-ISSN 2169-9402, Vol. 119, nr 12, s. 9670-9683Artikkel i tidsskrift (Fagfellevurdert) Published
Abstract [en]

A large study of Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) waves at the magnetopause of Mercury covering 907 days of data from the MErcury Surface Space ENvironment GEochemistry Ranging spacecraft have resulted in 146 encounters of not only nonlinear KH waves but also linear surface waves, including the first observations of KH waves at the dawnside magnetopause. Most of the waves are in the nonlinear phase (90%) occur at the duskside magnetopause (93%), under northward magnetosheath magnetic field conditions (89%) and during greater magnetosheath Bz (23 nT) values than in general. The average period and amplitude is 30 ± 14 s and 14 ± 10 nT, respectively. Unlike duskside events, dawnside waves do not appear at the magnetopause flank (<6 magnetic local time). This is in agreement with previous observations and modeling results and possibly explained by finite Larmor radius effects and/or a lack of a large-scale laminar flow at the dawnside magnetopause boundary. Key Points Observing Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at the dawnside Mercury magnetopause Confirming a dawn-dusk asymmetry associated with the Kelvin-Helmholtz at Mercury Determine characteristics associated with Kelvin-Helmholtz waves

Emneord
Kelvin-Helmholtz, magnetopause, MESSENGER
HSV kategori
Identifikatorer
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-161507 (URN)10.1002/2014JA020614 (DOI)000349161100025 ()2-s2.0-84921760749 (Scopus ID)
Forskningsfinansiär
Swedish National Space Board
Merknad

QC 20150313

Tilgjengelig fra: 2015-03-13 Laget: 2015-03-12 Sist oppdatert: 2022-06-23bibliografisk kontrollert
2. MESSENGER observations of the dayside low-latitude boundary layer in Mercury's magnetosphere
Åpne denne publikasjonen i ny fane eller vindu >>MESSENGER observations of the dayside low-latitude boundary layer in Mercury's magnetosphere
Vise andre…
2015 (engelsk)Inngår i: Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics, ISSN 2169-9380, E-ISSN 2169-9402, Vol. 120, nr 10Artikkel i tidsskrift (Fagfellevurdert) Published
Abstract [en]

Observations from MESSENGER's MAG and FIPS instruments during the first orbital year have resulted in the identification of 25 magnetopause crossings in Mercury's magnetosphere with significant low-latitude boundary layers (LLBLs). Of these crossings 72% are observed dawnside, and 65% for northward interplanetary magnetic field.

The estimated LLBL thickness is 450 ± 56 km, and increases with distance to noon. The Na+-group ion is sporadically present in 14 of the boundary layers, with an observed average number density of 22 ± 11% of the proton density. Furthermore, the average Na+-group gyroradii in the layers is 220 ± 34 km, the same order of magnitude as the LLBL thickness.

Magnetic shear, plasma β and reconnection rates have been estimated for the LLBL crossings, and compared to those of a control group (non-LLBL) of 61 distinct magnetopause crossings which show signs of nearly no plasma inside the magnetopause. The results indicate that reconnection is significantly slower, or even suppressed, for the LLBL crossings compared to the non-LLBL cases.

Possible processes that form or impact the LLBL are discussed. Protons injected through the cusp or flank may be important for the formation of the LLBL. Furthermore, the opposite asymmetry in the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) as compared to the LLBL, rules out the KHI as a dominant formation mechanism. However, the KHI and LLBL could be related to each other, either by the impact of sodium ions gyrating across the magnetopause, or by the LLBL preventing the growth of KH waves on the dawnside.

sted, utgiver, år, opplag, sider
Blackwell Publishing, 2015
HSV kategori
Forskningsprogram
Elektro- och systemteknik
Identifikatorer
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-174177 (URN)10.1002/2015JA021662 (DOI)000366135200016 ()2-s2.0-84954385256 (Scopus ID)
Forskningsfinansiär
Swedish National Space Board, 566176
Merknad

QC 20150107

Tilgjengelig fra: 2015-10-01 Laget: 2015-10-01 Sist oppdatert: 2022-06-23bibliografisk kontrollert

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