A Double Disturbed Lunar Plasma Wake Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • AbstractUnder nominal solar wind conditions, a tenuous wake forms downstream of the lunar nightside. However, the lunar plasma environment undergoes a transformation as the Moon passes through the Earth's magnetotail, with hot subsonic plasma causing the wake structure to disappear. We investigate the lunar wake response during a passing coronal mass ejection (CME) on March 8, 2012 while crossing the Earth's magnetotail using both a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of the terrestrial magnetosphere and a three‐dimensional hybrid plasma model of the lunar wake. The CME arrives at 1 AU around 10:30 UT and its impact is first detected inside the geomagnetic tail after 11:10 UT by the Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun (THEMIS‐ARTEMIS) satellites in lunar orbit. A global magnetospheric MHD simulation using Wind data for upstream conditions with the OpenGGCM model reveals the magnetosheath compression to the lunar position from 11:20–12:00 UT, accompanied by multiple flux rope or plasmoid‐like features developing and propagating tailward. MHD results support plasma changes observed by the THEMIS‐ARTEMIS satellites. Lunar‐scale simulations using the Amitis hybrid code show a short and misaligned plasma wake during the Moon's brief entry into the magnetosheath at 11:20 UT, with plasma expansion into the void being aided by the higher plasma temperatures. Sharply accelerated flow speed and a compressed magnetic field lead to an enhanced electric field in the lunar wake capable of generating sudden changes to the nightside near‐surface electric potential.

publication date

  • February 1, 2021

has restriction

  • closed

Date in CU Experts

  • June 26, 2024 9:12 AM

Full Author List

  • Rasca AP; Fatemi S; Farrell WM; Poppe AR; Zheng Y

author count

  • 5

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 2169-9380

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2169-9402

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 126

issue

  • 2