Magnetic Draping Research Articles

Suppression of AGN-driven Turbulence by Magnetic Fields in a Magnetohydrodynamic Model of the Intracluster Medium

Abstract We investigate the role of active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback in turbulent heating of galaxy clusters. Specifically, we analyze the production of turbulence by g-modes generated by the supersonic expansion and buoyant rise of AGN-driven bubbles. Previous work that neglects magnetic fields has shown that this process is inefficient, with less than 1% of the injected energy ending up in turbulence. This inefficiency primarily arises because the bubbles are shredded apart by hydrodynamic instabilities before they can excite sufficiently strong g-modes. Using a plane-parallel model of the intracluster medium (ICM) and 3D ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations, we examine the role of a large-scale magnetic field that is able to drape around these rising bubbles, preserving them from hydrodynamic instabilities. We find that while magnetic draping appears better able to preserve AGN-driven bubbles, the driving of g-modes and the resulting production of turbulence is still inefficient. The magnetic tension force prevents g-modes from transitioning into the nonlinear regime, suppressing turbulence in our model ICM. Our work highlights the ways in which ideal MHD is an insufficient description for the cluster feedback process, and we discuss future work such as the inclusion of anisotropic viscosity as a means of simulating high β plasma kinetic effects. These results suggest the hypothesis that other mechanisms of heating the ICM plasma such as sound waves or cosmic rays may be responsible for the observed feedback in galaxy clusters.

The split in the ancient cold front in the Perseus cluster

Sloshing cold fronts in clusters, produced as the dense cluster core moves around in the cluster potential in response to in-falling subgroups, provide a powerful probe of the physics of the intracluster medium (ICM), and the magnetic fields permeating it. These sharp discontinuities in density and temperature rise gradually outwards with age in a characteristic spiral pattern, embedding into the intracluster medium a record of the minor merging activity of clusters: the further from the cluster centre a cold front is, the older it is. Recently it has been discovered that these cold fronts can survive out to extremely large radii in the Perseus cluster. Here we report on high spatial resolution Chandra observations of the large scale cold front in Perseus. We find that rather than broadening through diffusion, the cold front remains extremely sharp (consistent with abrupt jumps in density) but instead is split into two sharp edges. These results show that magnetic draping can suppress diffusion for vast periods of time, around ~5 Gyr, even as the cold front expands out to nearly half the cluster virial radius.

Influence of asymmetries in the magnetic draping pattern at Titan on the emission of energetic neutral atoms

We model the emission of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) that are generated by the interaction between energetic ions from Saturn's magnetosphere and neutrals from the upper atmosphere of the giant planet's largest moon Titan. The trajectories of the parent ions and the resulting ENA emission morphology are highly sensitive to the electromagnetic field configuration near the moon. We therefore compare the ENA emission pattern for spatially homogeneous fields to the emission obtained from a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and a hybrid (kinetic ions, fluid electrons) model of Titan's magnetospheric interaction, by computing the trajectories of several billion energetic test particles. While the MHD model takes into account the draping of the magnetic field lines around Titan, the hybrid approach also considers the significant asymmetries in the electromagnetic fields due to the large gyroradii of pick-up ions from Titan's ionosphere. In all three models, the upstream parameters correspond to the conditions during Cassini's TA flyby of Titan. The shape, magnitude, and location of the ENA emission maxima vary considerably between these three field configurations. The magnetic pile-up region at Titan's ramside deflects a large number of the energetic parent ions, thereby reducing the ENA flux. However, the draped magnetic field lines in Titan's lobes rotate the gyration planes of the incident energetic ions, thereby facilitating the observable ENA production. Overall, the ENA flux calculated for the MHD model is weaker than the emission obtained for the electromagnetic fields from the hybrid code. In addition, we systematically investigate the dependency of the ENA emission morphology on the energy of the parent ions and on the upstream magnetic field strength.

DeepChandraobservations of the stripped galaxy group falling into Abell 2142

In the local Universe, the growth of massive galaxy clusters mainly operates through the continuous accretion of group-scale systems. The infalling group in Abell 2142 is the poster child of such an accreting group, and as such, it is an ideal target to study the astrophysical processes induced by structure formation. We present the results of a deep (200 ks) observation of this structure with Chandra, which highlights the complexity of this system in exquisite detail. In the core of the group, the spatial resolution of Chandra reveals the presence of a leading edge and a complex AGN-induced activity. The morphology of the stripped gas tail appears straight in the innermost 250 kpc, suggesting that magnetic draping efficiently shields the gas from its surroundings. However, beyond $\sim300$ kpc from the core, the tail flares and the morphology becomes strongly irregular, which could be explained by a breaking of the drape, e.g. because of turbulent motions. The power spectrum of surface-brightness fluctuations is relatively flat ($P_{2D}\propto k^{-2.3}$), which indicates that thermal conduction is strongly inhibited even beyond the region where magnetic draping is effective. The amplitude of density fluctuations in the tail is consistent with a mild level of turbulence with a Mach number $M_{3D}\sim0.1-0.25$. Overall, our results show that the processes leading to the thermalization and mixing of the infalling gas are slow and relatively inefficient.

The structure of bow shocks formed by the interaction of pulsed-power driven magnetised plasma flows with conducting obstacles

We present an experimental study of the development and structure of bow shocks produced by the interaction of a magnetised, collisional, super-Alfvénic plasma flow with conducting cylindrical obstacles. The plasma flow with an embedded, frozen-in magnetic field (ReM ∼ 20) is produced by the current-driven ablation of fine aluminium wires in an inverse, exploding wire array z-pinch. We show that the orientation of the embedded field with respect to the obstacles has a dramatic effect on the bow shock structure. When the field is aligned with the obstacle, a sharp bow shock is formed with a global structure that is determined simply by the fast magneto-sonic Mach number. When the field is orthogonal to the obstacle, magnetic draping occurs. This leads to the growth of a magnetic precursor and the subsequent development of a magnetised bow shock that is mediated by two-fluid effects, with an opening angle and a stand-off distance, that are both many times larger than in the parallel geometry. By changing the field orientation, we change the fluid regime and physical mechanisms that are responsible for the development of the bow shocks. MHD simulations show good agreement with the structure of well-developed bow shocks. However, collisionless, two-fluid effects will need to be included within models to accurately reproduce the development of the shock with an orthogonal B-field.

Evolution of a typical ion‐scale magnetic flux rope caused by thermal pressure enhancement

AbstractWith high time‐resolution field and plasma measurements by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft, interior fine structures of two ion‐scale magnetic flux ropes (~5 and ~11 ion inertial length radius) separated by ~14 s are resolved. These two ion‐scale flux ropes (FR1 and FR2) show non‐frozen‐in ion behavior and consist of a strong axial magnetic field at the reversal of the negative‐then‐positive bipolar field component. The negative bipolar field component of the FR2 is found to be depressed, where magnetic pressure and total pressure decrease, but ion and electron thermal pressures increase, a feature akin to a crater‐like flux rope. The pressure enhancement is due to the magnetosheath plasma feeding into the flux rope along the field lines. Magnetic field draping and energetic electrons are also observed in the trailing part of the FR2. The ratio of perpendicular and parallel currents indicates that the FR1 appears force‐free but the FR2 seems not. Moreover, the FR2 is time‐dependent as a result of a low correlation coefficient (CC = 0.75) for the derivation of the deHoffmann‐Teller frame using the direct measured electric fields, while the FR1 is in quasi‐steady conditions (CC = 0.94). It is concluded that the crater formation within the FR2 can be interpreted by the analytical flux rope simulation as the evolution of typical flux rope to crater‐like one due to the thermal pressure enhancement, which could be induced by the depression of transverse magnetic fields of the flux rope.

THE PLASMA DEPLETION LAYER BEYOND THE HELIOPAUSE: EVIDENCE, IMPLICATIONS, AND PREDICTIONS FOR VOYAGER 2 AND NEW HORIZONS

ABSTRACT A plasma depletion layer (PDL) is predicted beyond the heliopause, analogous to the PDLs observed sunwards of planetary magnetopauses: draping of interstellar medium (ISM) magnetic field lines over the heliopause should increase the magnetic field strength and, perpendicular ion temperature, cause density depletions by allowing plasma ions (and electrons) with large parallel temperatures to escape along , and increase the temperature anisotropy until limited by wave instabilities. Published Voyager 1 magnetometer and plasma wave data provide strong evidence for the coupled magnetic amplification ( ) and density depletion ( ) expected for a weak PDL. The predicted reduction in parallel temperature is . The locations on the sky of the PDL and the points on the heliopause of maximum magnetic draping and total pressure are predicted using the ISM magnetic field direction obtained from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) ribbon. The IBEX ribbon overlies the former, as expected, while the latter lies within the ridge of maximum, non-ribbon, globally distributed flux. The PDL should be strongest along the ISM field line passing through these points and the Sun–ISM velocity vector. Based on their trajectories, Voyager 2 and New Horizons should observe a much stronger PDL (stronger magnetic amplification, density depletion, and changes in temperature) than Voyager 1. Finally, the reduced cosmic ray fluxes observed near 90° pitchangle by Voyager 1 beyond the heliopause appear qualitatively consistent with wave–particle interactions transferring perpendicular particle energy to parallel energy where the PDL is strong, followed by magnetic focusing as particles propagate into weaker magnetic field regions.

DEEP CHANDRA OBSERVATIONS OF NGC 1404: CLUSTER PLASMA PHYSICS REVEALED BY AN INFALLING EARLY-TYPE GALAXY

ABSTRACT The intracluster medium (ICM), as a magnetized and highly ionized fluid, provides an ideal laboratory to study plasma physics under extreme conditions that cannot be achieved on Earth. NGC 1404 is a bright elliptical galaxy that is being gas stripped as it falls through the ICM of the Fornax Cluster. We use the new Chandra X-ray observations of NGC 1404 to study ICM microphysics. The interstellar medium of NGC 1404 is characterized by a sharp leading edge, 8 kpc from the Galaxy center, and a short downstream gaseous tail. Contact discontinuities are resolved on unprecedented spatial scales (0.″5 = 45 pc) due to the combination of the proximity of NGC 1404, the superb spatial resolution of Chandra, and the very deep (670 ks) exposure. At the leading edge, we observe sub-kiloparsec-scale eddies generated by Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI) and put an upper limit of 5% Spitzer on the isotropic viscosity of the hot cluster plasma. We also observe mixing between the hot cluster gas and the cooler galaxy gas in the downstream stripped tail, which provides further evidence of a low viscosity plasma. The assumed ordered magnetic fields in the ICM ought to be smaller than 5 μG to allow KHI to develop. The lack of an evident magnetic draping layer just outside the contact edge is consistent with such an upper limit.

Magnetic field pile-up and draping at intermediately active comets: results from comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko at 2.0 AU

The interaction between a comet and the impinging solar wind leads to modifications of the magnetic field in the environment of a comet. Among those, one finds magnetic field pile-up and draping, which reveal properties of the interaction and are known from previous cometary spacecraft missions. This work studies the magnetic field configuration at comet 67P Churyumov Gerasimenko at 2.0 AU.

EMVIM: An empirical model for the magnetic field configuration near Venus

AbstractMore than 2000 orbits of Venus Express magnetic field measurements are condensed into Empirical Model of Venusian Induced Magnetic fields (EMVIM), an empirical model to quantify the magnetic configuration in the Venusian magnetosphere at low altitude (<500 km) as a function of the upstream solar wind magnetic field (IMF components) and the solar activity index F10.7 as control variables. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is used to construct a set of data‐derived basis functions that are associated with different fundamental magnetospheric processes. The most important basis function represents the magnetic draping configuration of the IMFz component while the second important one represents the draping of the IMFy component. Solar wind‐magnetosphere interactions are quantified through regression analysis of EOF amplitudes and the control variables. Combining the basis functions with regression coefficients results in a model with a determination coefficient R2 of 0.29. As an applicational example, the model is used to quantify the density of the terminator end of the tail current JE in terms of cross‐flow IMF component and F10.7 as , showing that the current strength is anticorrelated with solar activity.

Marsward and tailward ions in the near‐Mars magnetotail: MAVEN observations

AbstractWe present Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) observations of Marsward and tailward fluxes of suprathermal (>25 eV) ions in the near‐Mars (∼1–1.5 Mars radii downstream) magnetotail. Statistical results show that the Marsward proton flux and magnetic field draping pattern are well organized by the upstream motional electric field direction. We observe both significant Marsward proton fluxes and tightly wrapped magnetic field lines in the hemisphere pointed in the opposite direction to the upstream electric field. These characteristics are very similar to those observed at Venus. On the other hand, the net flux of oxygen ions points tailward on average in the Martian tail, while net Venusward flows of oxygen ions were observed frequently in the same hemisphere at Venus. The mechanism by which the Marsward proton flux is produced in the presence of tailward oxygen ion flux remains unclear.

IN SITU OBSERVATIONS OF MAGNETIC TURBULENCE IN THE LOCAL INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

We present the first in situ observations of turbulence in the local interstellar magnetic field , measured by Voyager 1 from 2013.36 to 2014.64. The fluctuations of the components of , the rms of the fluctuations of the components of , and magnitude of have a Kolmogorov spectrum in the range from to Hz. The turbulence is compressible; the variance is primarily along the average magnetic field. The turbulence is weak, the ratio of the turbulent fluctuations to the average field being 0.023. A small linear increase in the azimuthal angle λ of and a small linear decrease in the elevation angle δ were observed during the 468 day interval under consideration, which might be related to magnetic draping.

Rarefaction and compressional standing slow mode structures in Mercury's magnetosheath: 3D MHD simulations

We show that slow mode compressional fronts form upstream of the day side magnetopause in MHD simulations of Mercury's magnetosphere. The strongest compressional fronts are located upstream of the magnetopause with strong magnetic shear. Compressional fronts are crossed by magnetic field lines connecting the interplanetary magnetic field and the planet's intrinsic field, their role is to bend the magnetic field in the magnetosheath towards the magnetopause. Besides these compressional fronts, already observed in space and theoretically discussed by various authors for the case of the Earth, we observe the formation of a slow mode standing rarefaction wave spatially growing over a substantial fraction of the distance between the bow shock and the magnetopause. The slow mode source region for the rarefaction waves is located in the magnetosheath, near the bow shock's nose. The generated standing rarefaction waves, however, form even at large distances from the source region along the magnetospheric flanks. They fine-tune the magnetic field line draping and plasma flow around the magnetopause. In ideal MHD the magnetospheres of Mercury, the Earth and the giant planets do closely resemble each other, we therefore expect the mentioned slow mode structures not to be specific to Mercury.

Momentum transfer from solar wind to interplanetary field enhancements inferred from magnetic field draping signatures

AbstractCharacterized by a cusp‐shaped enhancement in the magnetic field strength, the magnetic structure in the solar wind, called an interplanetary field enhancement (IFE), has been investigated since its discovery. To understand its three‐dimensional magnetic field geometry, we study an IFE detected by five spacecraft simultaneously. Field lines are seen draping around in the upstream region and rotating in the ambient convection electric field direction in the downstream region. Earlier studies suggest that IFEs are created when the solar wind accelerates newly formed dust clouds. Both signatures found in our study support this hypothesis: the field line draping is caused by dust‐solar wind momentum exchange, while the field line rotation is a typical signature of dusty plasma pickup. The force that exchanges the momentum is approximately 106 N. This study illustrates the nature of the interaction between two flowing plasmas of very different mass‐to‐charge ratio.

Magnetic tension in the tails of Titan, Venus and comet Halley

Magnetic tension in the tail of the classical induced magnetosphere produced by field line draping is directed downstream along the external plasma flow. This is confirmed by the calculation of tension in magnetospheres of Venus and comet Halley which are firmly established as celestial bodies with negligible magnetic field.On the contrary, magnetic field structure observed in numerous Cassini flybys in the region of Titan interaction with the corotating flow of Kronian magnetosheric plasma contradicts the classical picture of the ideal induced magnetosphere produced by magnetic field line draping about the obstacle. Clear draping is observed only upstream of the Titan, but not in the Titan magnetic wake.We consider the magnetic field tension downstream the Titan magnetic tail and show that the magnetic field direction is not consistent with the induced magnetosphere produced by magnetic field lines draping. We arrive at the conclusion that the mechanisms alternative to the induced magnetosphere formation should be considered for the Titan magnetic environment.

STEADY-STATE MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC FLOW AROUND AN UNMAGNETIZED CONDUCTING SPHERE

The non-collisional interaction between conducting obstacles and magnetized plasma winds can be found in different scenarios, from the interaction occurring between regions inside galaxy clusters to the interaction between the solar wind and Mars, Venus, active comets or even the interaction between Titan and the Saturnian's magnetospheric flow. These objects generate, through several current systems, perturbations in the streaming magnetic field leading to its draping around the obstacle's effective conducting surface. Recent observational results suggest that several properties associated with the magnetic field draping, such as the location of the polarity reversal layer of the induced magnetotail, are affected by variations in the conditions of the streaming magnetic field. To improve our understanding of these phenomena, we perform a characterization of several magnetic field draping signatures by analytically solving an ideal problem in which a perfectly conducting magnetized plasma (with frozen-in magnetic field conditions) flows around a spherical body for various orientations of the streaming magnetic field. In particular, we compute the shift of the inverse polarity reversal layer as the orientation of the background magnetic field is changed.

Pluto’s solar wind interaction: Collisional effects

Exospheric neutral atoms and molecules (primarily N2, with trace amounts of CH4 and CO according to our current understanding of Pluto’s atmosphere) escape from Pluto and travel into interplanetary space for millions of kilometers. Eventually, the neutrals are ionized by solar EUV photons and/or by collisions with solar wind electrons. The mass-loading associated with this ion pick-up is thought to produce a comet-like interaction of the solar wind with Pluto. Within a few thousand kilometers of Pluto the solar wind interaction should lead to a magnetic field pile-up and draping, as it does around other “non-magnetic” bodies such as Venus and comets. The structure of plasma regions and boundaries will be greatly affected by large gyroradii effects and the extensive exosphere. Energetic plasma should disappear from the flow within radial distances of a few thousand kilometers due to charge exchange collisions. An ionosphere should be present close to Pluto with a composition that is determined both by the primary ion production and ion-neutral chemistry. One question discussed in the paper is whether or not the ionosphere has a Venus-like sharply defined ionopause boundary or a diamagnetic cavity such as that found around comet Halley. Simple physical estimates of plasma processes and structures in the collision-dominated region are made in this paper and predictions are made for the New Horizons mission.

IMPACT OF MAGNETIC FIELDS ON RAM PRESSURE STRIPPING IN DISK GALAXIES

(abridged) Ram pressure can remove significant amounts of gas from galaxies in clusters, and thus has a large impact on the evolution of cluster galaxies. Recent observations have shown that key properties of ram pressure stripped tails of galaxies are in conflict with predictions by simulations. To increase the realism of existing simulations, we simulated for the first time a disk galaxy exposed to a uniformly magnetized wind including radiative cooling and self-gravity of the gas. We find that B-fields have a strong effect on the morphology of the gas in the tail of the galaxy. While in the pure hydro case the tail is very clumpy, the MHD case shows very filamentary structures in the tail. The filaments can be strongly supported by magnetic pressure and, when this is the case, the B-field vectors tend to be aligned with the filaments. The ram pressure stripping may lead to the formation of magnetized density tails that appear as bifurcated in the plane of the sky and resemble the double tails observed in ESO 137-001 and ESO 137-002. Such tails can be formed under a variety of situations, both for the disks oriented face-on with respect to the ICM wind and for the tilted ones. While this bifurcation is due to the generic tendency for the B-fields to produce very filamentary tail morphology, the tail properties are further shaped by the combination of the B-field orientation and the sliding of the field past the disk surface exposed to the wind. Magnetic draping does not strongly change the rate of gas stripping. For a face-on galaxy, the field tends to reduce the amount of stripping compared to the pure hydro case, and is associated with the formation of a magnetic draping layer on the side of the galaxy exposed to the ICM wind. For significantly tilted disks, the stripping rate may be enhanced by the ``scraping'' of the disk surface by the B-fields sliding past the ISM/ICM interface.

Magnetic pileup boundary and field draping at Comet Halley

The approach of the Rosetta S/C to Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko in 2014 reactivates the interest in the plasma interaction of the solar wind with the cometary coma. In preparation for the upcoming S/C observations and the start of outgassing of the cometary nucleus, we reinvestigate the magnetic field data from the Vega-1 S/C at the flyby of Comet Halley (1986), in search of the magnetic pileup boundary and increase of field line draping. The magnetic pileup boundary has been identified as a common feature for unmagnetized bodies with an induced magnetosphere. This boundary marks the outer edge of the magnetic pileup region, also known as the magnetic barrier region, in which the magnetic field is strong and highly draped. Initially, the magnetic field draping around Comet Halley was clearly identified from the Vega-1 magnetometer data through reversal of the field component in direction to the Sun at closest approach.Here, a detailed analysis is performed in regions further upstream in the magnetosheath. The Vega-1 high resolution magnetometer data on the in- and outbound leg but inside the bow wave are reinvestigated in search for the magnetic pileup boundary as an indicator for the outer edge of the magnetic barrier. The magnetic field pileup region is studied using the correlation between the field component towards the Sun and the radial component in an aberrated cometocentric frame; this technique proved very successful for Mars and also for comets Giacobini–Zinner and Halley in the case of Giotto observations. We can clearly identify the different regimes in the magnetic field data, on the in- and outbound leg of the orbit. Waves just within the newly determined magnetic pileup region have properties different from mirror mode waves, whereas waves observed out of the magnetic pileup boundary are confirmed as mirror mode. The boundaries found at Comet Halley prove that also the detailed structure of the interaction of unmagnetized bodies with an atmosphere with the solar wind is valid for active comets, but with larger space scale.

Mars ionospheric response to solar wind variability

AbstractAt planets with induced magnetospheres, the coupling between the ionosphere, the weak draped magnetosphere, and the solar wind is very direct in comparison to Earth. The weak induced magnetosphere itself is created by the prevailing Solar wind conditions and therefore in its shape and strength dynamically depending on it. In early 2010, Mars was located behind Earth in the Solar wind; thus, we can use coordinated data from multiple near‐Earth spacecraft (Stereo, Wind) to evaluate what kind of Solar wind disturbances have passed by Earth and might consecutively hit Mars, and when. We employ plasma data from the ESA Mars‐Express mission, the ASPERA‐3 particle instrument, and the MARSIS Active Ionospheric Sounder (AIS) to investigate, for a number of isolated events in March and April 2010, how the ionosphere and the induced magnetosphere at Mars develop and decay in response to Solar wind variability in the magnetic field, density, and velocity. In a dedicated campaign mode, we use frequent long‐duration MARSIS AIS operations for several consecutive orbits, to monitor for the first time the long‐term development of the Martian plasma environment during solar wind disturbances. We find that the magnetosphere and ionosphere of Mars can become considerably compressed by solar wind dynamic pressure variations, which usually are also associated with changes in the magnetic draping of the interplanetary magnetic field around the planet. These are typically associated with corotating interaction regions and coronal mass ejections, and can last for several days. During such episodes of compression, we see signatures of increased plasma transport over the terminator and enhanced ion outflow from the upper atmosphere.