Magnetic field behavior in the magnetosheath when the IMF slightly differs from the solar wind velocity vector

Abstract

The magnetic field behavior in the magnetosheath, when the IMF and the solar wind velocity are almost collinear, has been analyzed based on the perturbation method. Magnetic disturbances are considered against a background of the stationary MHD solar wind flow around the magnetosphere when the magnetic field and the solar wind velocity are strictly collinear. It has been indicated that the angle between the magnetic field and velocity vectors increases considerably in a relatively thin layer near the magnetopause. The angle rise factor profiles have been determined for different distances from the subsolar point. The thickness of the layer, where the angle reaches values of about unity and more, has been estimated. It is important to take this layer into account when the magnetopause stability with respect to Kelvin-Helmholtz waves is analyzed.