Determination of the Kelvin-Helmholtz Wave Parameters on the Magnetopause in Single-spacecraft Observations

Abstract

Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) waves are formed from the triggeringof the K-H instability on the magnetopause, which is a candidatemechanism for solar wind entry into the magnetosphere, especially undernorthward interplanetary magnetic field conditions. In this study, aK-H wave event was identified from the observation of probe Bof the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) mission on 15 May 2008. A new method to determinethe wave parameters of the K-H waves in single-spacecraft observationsis proposed. The dominant wave period is determined by three kinds ofspectrograms for three key parameters, namely the ion density, the iontemperature, and the <em>z</em> component of magnetic field. The phasevelocity is estimated by calculating the center-of-mass velocity of thedetected K-H vortex region. This approximation is validated bycomparison with other alternative methods. The method to determine thewave parameters is a first step to further study K-H wave properties and their relationship with interplanetaryconditions.