Current sheet flapping motions in the tailward flow of magnetic reconnection. Issue 8 (26th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Mingyu; Lu, Quanming; Volwerk, Martin; Vörös, Zoltán; Ma, Xuanye; Wang, Shui
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 8(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 7817
• Page End: 7827
• Publication Date: 2016-08-26
• Subjects: flapping motion -- tailward flow -- magnetic reconnection -- turbulence -- flux rope; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: The feature and origin of current sheet flapping motions are one of most interesting issues of magnetospheric dynamics. In this paper we report the flapping motion of the current sheet detected in the tailward flow of a magnetic reconnection event on 7 February 2009. This flapping motion with frequency about 12 mHz was accompanied by magnetic turbulence. The observations by the tail‐elongated fleet of five Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms probes indicate that these flapping oscillations were rather confined within the tailward flow than were due to a global process. This flapping motion could be due to the instability driven by the free energy associated with the ion temperature anisotropy in the tailward flow. Our observations indicate that the flapping motion in the tailward flow could have a different generation mechanism with that in the earthward flow. Key Points: The flapping motion of current sheet can also exist in the tailward flow The flapping motion is accompanied by magnetic turbulence The flapping motion occurs behind a large flux rope