The Effect of Solar Wind Mach Numbers on the Occurrence Rate of Flux Transfer Events at the Dayside Magnetopause. Issue 8 (23rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, C.; Sun, T. R.; Wang, C.; Huang, Z. H.; Tang, B. B.; Guo, X. C.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 46:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 4106
• Page End: 4113
• Publication Date: 2019-04-23
• Subjects: magnetopause -- MHD simulation -- flux transfer event; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1029/2018GL081676
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Although many works have investigated the occurrence rate of flux transfer events (FTEs) under different upstream conditions, the relation between the upstream Mach number and the occurrence rate of FTEs remains unclear. By using global magnetohydrodynamics simulations, we study the occurrence rate of FTEs under different upstream Alvénic Mach numbers ( M A ). A recently developed method is used to identify the FTEs throughout the dayside magnetopause. It shows that the occurrence rate of FTEs decreases with increasing value of M A . We suggest that the magnetosheath β, which increases with increasing M A, plays an important role in the process of reconnection and thus affects the occurrence rate of FTEs. As the solar wind M A increases with increasing distance from the Sun, we speculate that the planet with a larger heliocentric distance may have less FTEs because of the increasing value of upstream M A . Key Points: The occurrence rate of FTEs under different solar wind Mach numbers is studied systemically using MHD simulations The occurrence of FTEs is studied throughout the dayside magnetopause The occurrence rate of FTEs decreases with increasing solar wind Mach numbers