Mirror mode structures in the asymmetric Hermean magnetosheath: Hybrid simulations. Issue 1 (31st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herčík, David; Trávníček, Pavel M.; Johnson, Jay R.; Kim, Eun‐Hwa; Hellinger, Petr
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 118:Issue 1(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 405
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2013-01-31
• Subjects: Mercury -- magnetosheath -- mirror waves; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1029/2012JA018083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract : [1] Results of two global three‐dimensional hybrid simulations of the solar wind interaction with the Hermean magnetosphere are presented for southward and northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientations. Important dawn‐dusk asymmetries of the Hermean bow shock and magnetosheath are observed depending on the IMF orientation. For the southward IMF, the dawnside has a thicker magnetosheath with higher β values and slower bulk velocities compared to the duskside, whereas for the northward IMF, the duskside has a thicker and higher β magnetosheath with slower bulk velocities. Mirror mode activity consequently appears at the dawnside for the southward IMF and at the duskside for the northward IMF. A mechanism for the bow shock and magnetosheath asymmetries is proposed and discussed in the context of the Hermean and terrestrial magnetosheaths. Key Points: Dawn‐dusk asymmetry of Hermean magnetosheath driven by IMF orientation observed Mirror waves appear in the magnetosheath depending on the dayside magnetosheath Kinetic effects seem to play significant role in the observed features