Properties of Kelvin‐Helmholtz waves at the magnetopause under northward interplanetary magnetic field: Statistical study

Abstract

AbstractWe search the plasma and magnetic field data of the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) probes B and C during 2008 and 2009 for observation evidences of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability (KHI). Fourteen KHI events with rolled‐up vortices are identified under the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) at the low‐latitude boundary layer (LLBL). We collect another 42 events reported from the observations of the Geotail, Double Star TC‐1, and Cluster for a statistical study of the KH wave properties. All the 56 rolled‐up KH wave events are quantitatively characterized by the dominant period, phase velocity, and the wavelength. We further explore the relationship between the KH wave period and the solar wind velocity (VSW) and the IMF clock angle. It is found that the KH period tends to be shorter under a higher VSW, and longer with a larger IMF clock angle. The spatial distribution of the KH wavelength shows a longitudinal growth with increasing distance from the subsolar point along the flank magnetopause. The statistical results provide new insights for the development of KH waves and their connection with the interplanetary conditions and deepen our understanding of the KHI at the magnetopause.