Time—dependent three‐dimensional Petschek—type reconnection: A case study for magnetopause conditions

Abstract

We illustrate the implications of a generalized Petschek‐type reconnection model for conditions prevailing at the magnetopause. Petschek's model is generalized through the introduction of a space‐ and time‐varying reconnection rate. Furthermore, the model can incorporate skewed magnetic fields with different magnitudes, a velocity shear, and different densities on either side of the current sheet. Here we study a situation typical for the dayside magnetopause, in which all these features are present. On a qualitative level, it is shown that the physical manifestations of reconnection include phenomena which have been observed at the magnetopause, such as accelerated plasma flows, flux transfer events, and surface waves. To aid a quantitative and more detailed comparison with experimental data, we present the results in a format which is similar to that used to view the plasma bulk parameters and magnetic field data obtained from spacecraft measurements. In particular, at several fixed positions in space we analyze the time behavior of the magnetic field and plasma parameters resulting from a localized pulse of reconnection. This exercise reveals that although there is broad agreement between the observations and expectations based on the model, several discrepancies and unexplained features still remain, such as the increase in the total pressure associated with some observations of flux transfer events. These are presumably the result of various simplifying assumptions made in the model. We also reach the new conclusion that application of the stress balance relation does not necessarily guarantee the correct identification of a rotational discontinuity traversal, and we suggest an additional identifying criterion.