Large‐Scale Characteristics of Flux Transfer Events on the Dayside Magnetopause

By using global MHD simulation, we present the large‐scale characteristics of flux transfer events (FTEs) on the dayside magnetopause during periods of generic southward interplanetary magnetic field. It is revealed that FTEs can be generated both at lower and higher latitudes, and also at almost al...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2019-04, Vol.124 (4), p.2425-2434
Main Authors: Sun, T. R., Tang, B. B., Wang, C., Guo, X. C., Wang, Y.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dependence
Flux transfer events
Interplanetary magnetic field
Magnetic fields
Magnetopause
Magnetosphere
Magnetospheres
Magnetospheric-solar wind relationships
Saturn
Solar wind
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Summary:By using global MHD simulation, we present the large‐scale characteristics of flux transfer events (FTEs) on the dayside magnetopause during periods of generic southward interplanetary magnetic field. It is revealed that FTEs can be generated both at lower and higher latitudes, and also at almost all local times. The occurrence rate of FTEs has an apparent longitudinal/latitudinal dependence, with a higher occurrence rate near noon/at lower latitudes. It is further shown that even under constant solar wind conditions, the azimuthal lengths of FTEs can have large variability, changing from as short as 10RE for different FTEs. Moreover, FTEs generated closer to the subsolar point tend to have longer extensions along their axes. These new knowledge of large‐scale properties of FTEs will improve our understanding of the solar wind‐magnetosphere interaction. Key Points A new diagnostic method is used to analyze large‐scale features of FTEs based on MHD simulation The occurrence rate of FTEs has an apparent longitudinal/latitudinal dependence The azimuthal lengths of FTEs can have large variability under constant solar wind conditions
ISSN:2169-9380
2169-9402
DOI:10.1029/2018JA026395