Magnetospheric Sources of Theta Aurora: A Case Study Comparing Observations With SWMF Global Simulation

Autor: S. C. Hill, T. I. Pulkkinen, A. Brenner, Q. Al Shidi, A. Mukhopadhyay, A. Kullen, H. Frey, S. Zou, M. Liemohn
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Geophysical Research Letters, Vol 51, Iss 10, Pp n/a-n/a (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1944-8007
0094-8276
DOI: 10.1029/2023GL108002
Popis: Abstract We present the first high resolution global MHD with coupled inner magnetosphere simulation results of an observed theta aurora event. We use the Space Weather Modeling Framework in the Geospace configuration, which produces accurate field aligned current closure in the ionosphere that is integral to theta aurora formation. At the location of the observed theta aurora, the simulation produces a narrow channel of Joule heating along both open and closed field lines, and between a pair of oppositely directed field‐aligned current sheets in the ionosphere. We demonstrate that this Joule heating pattern that we identify as theta aurora maps to a reconnection region at the magnetotail flanks as well as in the distant magnetotail. The theta aurora maps to a cross‐tail current disruption and field‐aligned current source region in a highly twisted magnetotail.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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