Multiple Reconnection X-lines at the Magnetopause and Overlapping Cusp Ion Injections | CU Experts

<p>Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observations during an extended crossing of the Earth&#8217;s dayside magnetopause show evidence of multiple reconnection at the boundary. This crossing occurred when the IMF was southward and had a significant B<sub>Y</sub> component. Approximately two hours after this crossing, the Twin Rocket Investigation of Cusp Electrodynamics-2 (TRICE-2) rockets were launched into the northern hemisphere cusp and observed overlapping cusp ion injections. These overlapping injections are also evidence of multiple reconnection at the magnetopause. While the observations more than 2 hours apart do not constitute a conjunction between the spacecraft and the rockets, the IMF conditions during the magnetopause crossing and the cusp traversal were very similar. Therefore, had the magnetopause crossings and cusp traversals occurred at the same time, the observations would have been similar. This talk describes these observations and shows the link between multiple reconnection at the magnetopause and overlapping cusp ion injections. In addition, the global consequences on the magnetosphere from this link are discussed.</p>

Fuselier S; Kletzing C; Petrinec S; Trattner K; George D; Bounds S; Sawyer R; Bonnell J; Burch J; Giles B

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