Quadrupolar pattern of the asymmetric guide‐field reconnection. Issue 6 (27th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peng, F. Z.; Fu, H. S.; Cao, J. B.; Graham, D. B.; Chen, Z. Z.; Cao, D.; Xu, Y.; Huang, S. Y.; Wang, T. Y.; Khotyaintsev, Y. V.; Andre, M.; Russell, C. T.; Giles, B.; Lindqvist, P.‐A.; Torbert, R. B.; Ergun, R. E.; Burch, J. L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 122:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 6349
• Page End: 6356
• Publication Date: 2017-06-27
• Subjects: reconnection at magnetopause -- number density asymmetry -- moderate guide field -- Alfvenic plasma jet -- quadrupolar Hall pattern; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023666
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: With high‐resolution data of the recently launched Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, we report a magnetic reconnection event at the dayside magnetopause. This reconnection event, having a density asymmetry N high / N low ≈ 2 on the two sides of the reconnecting current sheet and a guide field B g ≈ 0.4 B 0 in the "out‐of‐plane" direction, exhibit all the two‐fluid features: Alfvenic plasma jets in the outflow region, bipolar Hall electric fields toward the current sheet center, quadrupolar Hall magnetic fields in the "out‐of‐plane" direction, and the corresponding Hall currents. Obviously, the density asymmetry N high / N low ≈ 2 and the guide field B g ≈ 0.4 B 0 are not sufficient to dismiss the quadrupolar pattern of Hall reconnection. This is different from previous simulations, where the bipolar pattern of Hall reconnection was suggested. Key Points: Asymmetric guide‐field reconnection is observed at the magnetopause This reconnection is characterized by Hall pattern and Alfvenic plasma jet Symmetric Hall magnetic and electric fields were found in this event