Open-closed Field Line Boundary Research Articles

Space environment and magnetospheric Poynting fluxes of the exoplanet τ Boötis b

Context. The first tentative detection of a magnetic field on the hot-Jupiter-type exoplanet τ Boötis b was recently reported by Turner et al. (A&A, 645, A59). The magnetic field was inferred from observations of circularly polarized radio emission obtained with the LOFAR telescopes. The observed radio emission is possibly a consequence of the interaction of the surrounding stellar wind with the planet's magnetic field. Aims. We aim to better understand the near space environment of τ Boötis b and to shed light on the structure and energetics of its near-field interaction with the stellar wind. We are particularly interested in understanding the magnetospheric energy fluxes powered by the star-planet interaction and in localizing the source region of possible auroral radio emission. Methods. We performed magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the space environment around τ Boötis b and its interaction with the stellar wind using the PLUTO code. We investigated the magnetospheric energy fluxes and effects of different magnetic field orientations in order to understand the physical processes that cause the energy fluxes that may lead to the observed radio emission given the magnetic field strength proposed in Turner et al. (A&A, 645, A59). Furthermore, we study the effect of various stellar wind properties, such as density and pressure, on magnetospheric energy fluxes given the uncertainty of extrasolar stellar wind predictions. Results. We find in our simulations that the interaction is most likely super-Alfvénic and that energy fluxes generated by the stellar wind-planet interaction are consistent with the observed radio powers. Magnetospheric Poynting fluxes are on the order of 1–8 × 1018 W for hypothetical open, semi-open, and closed magnetospheres. These Poynting fluxes are energetically consistent with the radio powers in Turner et al. (A&A, 645, A59) for a magnetospheric Poynting flux-to-radio efficiency >10−3 when the magnetic fields of the planet and star are aligned. In the case of lower efficiency factors, the magnetospheric radio emission scenario is, according to the parameter space modeled in this study, not powerful enough. A sub-Alfvénic interaction with decreased stellar wind density could channel Poynting fluxes on the order of 1018W toward the star. In the case of a magnetic polarity reversal of the host star from an aligned to anti-aligned field configuration, the expected radio powers in the magnetospheric emission scenario fall below the observable threshold. Furthermore, we constrain the possible structure of the auroral oval to a narrow band near the open-closed field line boundary. The strongest emission is likely to originate from the night side of the planet. More generally, we find that stellar wind variability in terms of density and pressure does significantly influence magnetospheric energy fluxes for close-in magnetized exoplanets.

Storm time polar cap expansion: interplanetary magnetic field clock angle dependence

Abstract. It is well known that the polar cap, delineated by the open–closed field line boundary (OCB), responds to changes in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). In general, the boundary moves equatorward when the IMF turns southward and contracts poleward when the IMF turns northward. However, observations of the OCB are spotty and limited in local time, making more detailed studies of its IMF dependence difficult. Here, we simulate five solar storm periods with the coupled model consisting of the Open Geospace General Circulation Model (OpenGGCM) coupled with the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Model (CTIM) and the Rice Convection Model (RCM), i.e., the OpenGGCM-CTIM-RCM, to estimate the location and dynamics of the OCB. For these events, polar cap boundary location observations are also obtained from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) precipitation spectrograms and compared with the model output. There is a large scatter in the DMSP observations and in the model output. Although the model does not predict the OCB with high fidelity for every observation, it does reproduce the general trend as a function of IMF clock angle. On average, the model overestimates the latitude of the open–closed field line boundary by 1.61∘. Additional analysis of the simulated polar cap boundary dynamics across all local times shows that the MLT of the largest polar cap expansion closely correlates with the IMF clock angle, that the strongest correlation occurs when the IMF is southward, that during strong southward IMF the polar cap shifts sunward, and that the polar cap rapidly contracts at all local times when the IMF turns northward.

Ionospheric plasma flows associated with the formation of the distorted nightside end of a transpolar arc

Abstract. We investigate ionospheric flow patterns occurring on 28 January 2002 associated with the development of the nightside distorted end of a J-shaped transpolar arc (nightside distorted TPA). Based on the nightside ionospheric flows near to the TPA, detected by the SuperDARN (Super Dual Auroral Radar Network) radars, we discuss how the distortion of the nightside end toward the pre-midnight sector is produced. The J-shaped TPA was seen under southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions, in the presence of a dominant dawnward IMF-By component. At the onset time of the nightside distorted TPA, particular equatorward plasma flows at the TPA growth point were observed in the post-midnight sector, flowing out of the polar cap and then turning toward the pre-midnight sector of the main auroral oval along the distorted nightside part of the TPA. We suggest that these plasma flows play a key role in causing the nightside distortion of the TPA. SuperDARN also found ionospheric flows typically associated with Tail Reconnection during IMF Northward Non-substorm Intervals (TRINNIs) on the nightside main auroral oval, before and during the TPA interval, indicating that nightside magnetic reconnection is an integral process to the formation of the nightside distorted TPA. During the TPA growth, SuperDARN also detected anti-sunward flows across the open–closed field line boundary on the dayside that indicate the occurrence of low-latitude dayside reconnection and ongoing Dungey cycle driving. This suggests that nightside distorted TPA can grow even in Dungey-cycle-driven plasma flow patterns.

Neptune’s Pole-on Magnetosphere: Dayside Reconnection Observations by Voyager 2

Abstract The “pole-on” configuration occurs when the polar magnetosphere of a planet is directed into the solar wind velocity vector. Such magnetospheric configurations are unique to the ice giant planets. This means that magnetic reconnection, a process that couples a magnetosphere to the solar wind, will be different at the ice giants when they are pole-on compared to other planets. The only available in situ measurements of a pole-on magnetosphere are from the Neptune flyby by Voyager 2, which we analyze in this paper. We show that dayside magnetopause conditions were conducive to magnetic reconnection. A plasma depletion layer in the magnetosheath adjacent to the magnetopause was observed. Plasma measurements inside the magnetospheric cusp show evidence of multiple reconnection taking place at the magnetopause before the spacecraft crossed the open–closed field line boundary. A possible traveling compression region from a nearby passing flux rope was also observed, providing further supporting evidence that multiple X-line reconnection occurred during the flyby. During a perfectly pole-on configuration, reconnection will not depend on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field, as is the case at other planetary magnetospheres. The rate of reconnection will not vary because the area of the dayside magnetopause where antiparallel shears occur will be approximately equal for all interplanetary magnetic field orientations. Therefore, we suggest that rotating into and out of the pole-on configuration will likely drive the “on–off”/“switch-like” dynamics observed in simulations. Consequently, the pole-on configuration is most likely an important rotational phase for driving ice giant magnetospheric dynamics.

On the use of directional derivatives of SuperDARN convection flow for estimating open-closed field line boundary during the intervals of substorm activity on 14 October 2001

The maximum peak of the directional derivative of the SuperDARN convection flow has been proposed as a proxy for the open/closed magnetic field line boundary (OCB) and this has been evaluated using data from the ultraviolet imagers collected during the steady southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) condition. However, the technique ignores the contribution of ionospheric vorticity in determining the peak of the directional derivative of SuperDARN convection flow. In this paper these effects have been considered when identifying the OCB in the night sector, calculated using the directional derivatives of SuperDARN convection flow during the active substorm interval which occurred on October 14, 2001. Statistical comparison of the latitudes of the OCB, as estimated from the peaks of the directional derivative of the SuperDARN convection flow, determined with and without considering the relative maxima and minima vorticity, and as provided by images taken by the two Far Ultraviolet (FUV) Spectral Imagers onboard the IMAGE spacecraft (SI-12 and SI-13) indicates that the modified approach of the directional derivative of the SuperDARN convection flow may be used as an OCB proxy during active geomagnetic activity.

Examining Local Time Variations in the Gains and Losses of Open Magnetic Flux During Substorms

AbstractThe open magnetic flux content of the magnetosphere varies during substorms as a result of dayside and nightside reconnection. The open flux can be calculated from the area of the polar cap, delineated by the open‐closed field line boundary (OCB). This study presents a superposed epoch analysis of the location of the OCB and the change in the magnetic flux content in individual nightside MLT sectors during substorm growth, expansion, and recovery phases. Far ultraviolet (FUV) observations from the IMAGE satellite are used to derive a proxy of the OCB location. In the hour prior to substorm onset, the total nightside flux content increases by up to 0.12 GWb on average, resulting in an equatorward expansion of the OCB. Following substorm onset, the OCB contracts toward the pole as the open magnetic flux content decreases by up to 0.14 GWb on average, but the rate of decrease of the total nightside open flux content differs by 5–66% between the three IMAGE far ultraviolet instruments. The OCB does not contract poleward uniformly in all nightside magnetic local time (MLT) sectors after substorm onset. Close to the substorm onset MLT sector, the OCB contracts immediately following substorm onset; however, the OCB in more dawnward and duskward MLT sectors continues to expand equatorward for up to 120 minutes after substorm onset. Despite the continued increase in flux in these sectors after substorm onset, the total nightside flux content decreases immediately at substorm onset, indicating that the nightside reconnection rate exceeds the dayside rate following substorm onset.

Transient Oscillations Near the Dayside Open‐Closed Boundary: Evidence of Magnetopause Surface Mode?

AbstractGeomagnetic pulsations in Pc5‐6 band (~3–20 min) are persistent feature of ULF activity at dayside high latitudes. Magnetopause surface eigenmodes may be suggested as potential mechanism of these pulsations. One might expect the ground response of these modes to be near ionospheric projection of the open‐closed field line boundary (OCB). Using data from instruments located at Svalbard we study transient geomagnetic response to impulsive “intrusion” of magnetosheath plasma into the dayside magnetosphere. These intrusions are triggered by modest changes of interplanetary magnetic field to southward, and observed as sudden shifts of equatorward red aurora boundary to lower latitudes and green line emission intensification. Each auroral disturbance is accompanied by burst of ~1.7–2.0‐mHz geomagnetic pulsations. Near‐cusp latitudinal structure of ULF pulsations is compared with instant location of equatorward boundary of the red aurora, assumed to be a proxy of the OCB. Optical OCB latitude has been identified using data from the meridian scanning photometer. The latitudinal maximum of the transient geomagnetic response tends to be located near disturbed OCB proxy, within the error ~1°–2° of the photometer and magnetometer methods. Recorded transient pulsations may be associated with the ground image of the magnetopause surface mode harmonic. Theoretical consideration indicates that after an initial excitation, surface large‐scale mode converts into localized Alfvén oscillations and thus can exist for limited time only. Therefore, MHD surface modes in realistic inhomogeneous plasma cannot be considered in isolation, but as a combined system of modes with discrete and continuous spectra with irreversible transformation between them.

Local time extent of magnetopause reconnection using space–ground coordination

Abstract. Magnetic reconnection can vary considerably in spatial extent. At the Earth's magnetopause, the extent generally corresponds to the extent in local time. The extent has been probed by multiple spacecraft crossing the magnetopause, but the estimates have large uncertainties because of the assumption of spatially continuous reconnection activity between spacecraft and the lack of information beyond areas of spacecraft coverage. The limitations can be overcome by using radars examining ionospheric flows moving anti-sunward across the open–closed field line boundary. We therefore infer the extents of reconnection using coordinated observations of multiple spacecraft and radars for three conjunction events. We find that when reconnection jets occur at only one spacecraft, only the ionosphere conjugate to this spacecraft shows a channel of fast anti-sunward flow. When reconnection jets occur at two spacecraft and the spacecraft are separated by < 1 Re, the ionosphere conjugate to both spacecraft shows a channel of fast anti-sunward flow. The consistency allows us to determine the reconnection jet extent by measuring the ionospheric flows. The full-width-at-half-maximum flow extent is 200, 432, and 1320 km, corresponding to a reconnection jet extent of 2, 4, and 11 Re. Considering that reconnection jets emanate from reconnections with a high reconnection rate, the result indicates that both spatially patchy (a few Re) and spatially continuous and extended reconnections (> 10 Re) are possible forms of active reconnection at the magnetopause. Interestingly, the extended reconnection develops from a localized patch via spreading across local time. Potential effects of IMF Bx and By on the reconnection extent are discussed.

Investigation of Saturn's aurora by whistler mode waves

Saturn's aurora has been studied at relatively lower latitudes mapping to closed field lines near the open closed field line boundary. Precipitation of electrons into the atmosphere of Saturn from resonant wave-particle interaction by whistler mode waves has been considered. Precipitation flux and UV intensities of four excitations: H Lyman-α from atomic H, H Lyman-α from dissociative excitation of molecular H2, Lyman and Werner bands of H2 have been estimated. In this study observed whistler mode wave data and observed electron distribution function have been used. Calculations have been performed for the range 4.5–7.5 of L-shells. In the sub range of L-shells 5.5–7.5, the calculated UV intensities are: 0.8 R, 120−134 R, 594−664 R and 631−706 R for H Lyman-α from atomic H, H Lyman-α from molecular H2, Lyman and Werner bands of H2, respectively. The UV intensities are found negligibly small for the range of L-shells 4.5–5.5. It is estimated that higher UV intensities would be expected for whistler mode upper band chorus waves. However, these waves are less frequent in the magnetosphere of Saturn and sufficient wave data is not available to calculate the auroral emissions.

Field‐Aligned Currents in Saturn's Magnetosphere: Observations From the F‐Ring Orbits

AbstractWe investigate the azimuthal magnetic field signatures associated with high‐latitude field‐aligned currents observed during Cassini's F‐ring orbits (October 2016–April 2017). The overall ionospheric meridional current profiles in the northern and southern hemispheres, that is, the regions poleward and equatorward of the field‐aligned currents, differ most from the 2008 observations. We discuss these differences in terms of the seasonal change between data sets and local time (LT) differences, as the 2008 data cover the nightside while the F‐ring data cover the post‐dawn and dusk sectors in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. The F‐ring field‐aligned currents typically have a similar four current sheet structure to those in 2008. We investigate the properties of the current sheets and show that the field‐aligned currents in a hemisphere are modulated by that hemisphere's “planetary period oscillation” (PPO) systems. We separate the PPO‐independent and PPO‐related currents in both hemispheres using their opposite symmetry. The average PPO‐independent currents peak at ~1.5 MA/rad just equatorward of the open closed field line boundary, similar to the 2008 observations. However, the PPO‐related currents in both hemispheres are reduced by ~50% to ~0.4 MA/rad. This may be evidence of reduced PPO amplitudes, similar to the previously observed weaker equatorial oscillations at similar dayside LTs. We do not detect the PPO current systems' interhemispheric component, likely a result of the weaker PPO‐related currents and their closure within the magnetosphere. We also do not detect previously proposed lower latitude discrete field‐aligned currents that act to “turn off” the PPOs.

The correspondence between dayside long-period geomagnetic pulsations and the open-closed field line boundary

Long-period pulsations in the nominal Pc5-6 band (periods about 3–15 min) have been known to be a persistent feature of dayside high latitudes. A mixture of broadband Irregular Pulsations at Cusp Latitudes (IPCL) and narrowband P≿5 waves is often observed. The mechanism and origin of IPCL have not been firmly established yet. Magnetopause surface eigenmodes were suggested as a potential source of high-latitude ULF waves with frequencies less than 2 mHz. A ground response to these modes is expected to be beneath the ionospheric projection of the open-closed field line boundary (OCB). To unambiguously resolve a possible association of IPCL with the magnetopause surface modes, multi-instrument observation data from Svalbard have been analyzed. We examine the latitudinal structure of high-latitude pulsations in the Pc5-6 band recorded by magnetometers covering near-cusp latitudes. This structure is compared with an instant location of the equatorward boundary of the cusp aurora, assumed to be a proxy of the OCB. The optical OCB latitude has been identified by an automatic algorithm, using data from the meridian scanning photometer at Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The comparison has shown that the latitudinal maximum of the broadband IPCL maximizes about 2°–3° deeper in the magnetosphere than the OCB optical proxy. Therefore, these pulsations cannot be associated with the ground image of the magnetopause surface modes. It is likely that an essentially non-dipole geometry of field lines and a high variability of the magnetopause region may suppress the excitation efficiency. The obtained result imposes important limitations on possible mechanisms of high-latitude dayside ULF variations.

Suppression of the dayside magnetopause surface modes

Magnetopause surface eigenmodes were suggested as a potential source of dayside high-latitude broadband pulsations in the Pc5-6 band (frequency about 1–2 mHz). However, the search for a ground signature of these modes has not provided encouraging results. The comparison of multi-instrument data from Svalbard with the latitudinal structure of Pc5-6 pulsations, recorded by magnetometers covering near-cusp latitudes, has shown that often the latitudinal maximum of pulsation power occurs about 2–3° deeper in the magnetosphere than the dayside open-closed field line boundary (OCB). The OCB proxy was determined from SuperDARN radar data as the equatorward boundary of enhanced width of a return radio signal. The OCB-ULF correspondence is further examined by comparing the latitudinal profile of the near-noon pulsation power with the equatorward edge of the auroral red emission from the meridian scanning photometer. In most analyzed events, the “epicenter” of Pc5-6 power is at 1–2° lower latitude than the optical OCB proxy. Therefore, the dayside Pc5-6 pulsations cannot be associated with the ground image of the magnetopause surface modes or with oscillations of the last field line. A lack of ground response to these modes beneath the ionospheric projection of OCB seems puzzling. As a possible explanation, we suggest that a high variability of the outer magnetosphere near the magnetopause region may suppress the excitation efficiency. To quantify this hypothesis, we consider a driven field line resonator terminated by conjugate ionospheres with stochastic fluctuations of its eigenfrequency. A solution of this problem predicts a substantial deterioration of resonant properties of MHD resonator even under a relatively low level of back-ground fluctuations. This effect may explain why there is no ground response to magnetopause surface modes or oscillations of the last field line at the OCB latitude, but it can be seen at somewhat lower latitudes with more regular and stable magnetic and plasma structure.

Подавление поверхностных мод на дневной магнитопаузе

Magnetopause surface eigenmodes were suggested as a potential source of dayside high-latitude broadband pulsations in the Pc5-6 band (frequency about 1–2 mHz). However, the search for a ground signature of these modes has not provided encouraging results. The comparison of multi-instrument data from Svalbard with the latitudinal structure of Pc5-6 pulsations, recorded by magnetometers covering near-cusp latitudes, has shown that often the latitudinal maximum of pulsation power occurs about 2–3° deeper in the magnetosphere than the dayside open-closed field line boundary (OCB). The OCB proxy was determined from SuperDARN radar data as the equatorward boundary of enhanced width of a return radio signal. The OCB-ULF correspondence is further examined by comparing the latitudinal profile of the near-noon pulsation power with the equatorward edge of the auroral red emission from the meridian scanning photometer. In most analyzed events, the “epicenter” of Pc5-6 power is at 1–2° lower latitude than the optical OCB proxy. Therefore, the dayside Pc5-6 pulsations cannot be associated with the ground image of the magnetopause surface modes or with oscillations of the last field line. A lack of ground response to these modes beneath the ionospheric projection of OCB seems puzzling. As a possible explanation, we suggest that a high variability of the outer magnetosphere near the magnetopause region may suppress the excitation efficiency. To quantify this hypothesis, we consider a driven field line resonator terminated by conjugate ionospheres with stochastic fluctuations of its eigenfrequency. A solution of this problem predicts a substantial deterioration of resonant properties of MHD resonator even under a relatively low level of background fluctuations. This effect may explain why there is no ground response to magnetopause surface modes or oscillations of the last field line at the OCB latitude, but it can be seen at somewhat lower latitudes with more regular and stable magnetic and plasma structure.

PFISR observation of intense ion upflow fluxes associated with an SED during the 1 June 2013 geomagnetic storm

AbstractThe Earth's ionosphere plays an important role in supplying plasma into the magnetosphere through ion upflow/outflow, particularly during periods of strong solar wind driving. An intense ion upflow flux event during the 1 June 2013 storm has been studied using observations from multiple instruments. When the open‐closed field line boundary (OCB) moved into the Poker Flat incoherent scatter radar (PFISR) field of view, divergent ion fluxes were observed by PFISR with intense upflow fluxes reaching ~1.9 × 1014 m−2 s−1 at ~600 km altitude. Both ion and electron temperatures increased significantly within the ion upflow, and thus, this event has been classified as a type 2 upflow. We discuss factors contributing to the high electron density and intense ion upflow fluxes, including plasma temperature effect and preconditioning by storm‐enhanced density (SED). Our analysis shows that the significantly enhanced electron temperature due to soft electron precipitation in the cusp can reduce the dissociative recombination rate of molecular ions above ~400 km and contributed to the density increase. In addition, this intense ion upflow flux event is preconditioned by the lifted F region ionosphere due to northwestward convection flows in the SED plume. During this event, the OCB and cusp were detected by DMSP between 15 and 16 magnetic local times, unusually duskward. Results from a global magnetohydrodynamics simulation using the Space Weather Modeling Framework have been used to provide a global context for this event. This case study provides a more comprehensive mechanism for the generation of intense ion upflow fluxes observed in association with SEDs.

Optimization of Saturn paraboloid magnetospheric field model parameters using Cassini equatorial magnetic field data

Abstract. The paraboloid model of Saturn's magnetosphere describes the magnetic field as being due to the sum of contributions from the internal field of the planet, the ring current, and the tail current, all contained by surface currents inside a magnetopause boundary which is taken to be a paraboloid of revolution about the planet-Sun line. The parameters of the model have previously been determined by comparison with data from a few passes through Saturn's magnetosphere in compressed and expanded states, depending on the prevailing dynamic pressure of the solar wind. Here we significantly expand such comparisons through examination of Cassini magnetic field data from 18 near-equatorial passes that span wide ranges of local time, focusing on modelling the co-latitudinal field component that defines the magnetic flux passing through the equatorial plane. For 12 of these passes, spanning pre-dawn, via noon, to post-midnight, the spacecraft crossed the magnetopause during the pass, thus allowing an estimate of the concurrent subsolar radial distance of the magnetopause R1 to be made, considered to be the primary parameter defining the scale size of the system. The best-fit model parameters from these passes are then employed to determine how the parameters vary with R1, using least-squares linear fits, thus providing predictive model parameters for any value of R1 within the range. We show that the fits obtained using the linear approximation parameters are of the same order as those for the individually selected parameters. We also show that the magnetic flux mapping to the tail lobes in these models is generally in good accord with observations of the location of the open-closed field line boundary in Saturn's ionosphere, and the related position of the auroral oval. We then investigate the field data on six passes through the nightside magnetosphere, for which the spacecraft did not cross the magnetopause, such that in this case we compare the observations with three linear approximation models representative of compressed, intermediate, and expanded states. Reasonable agreement is found in these cases for models representing intermediate or expanded states.

Effects of the interplanetary magnetic field on the location of the open‐closed field line boundary

AbstractUsing global magnetohydrodynamic(MHD) simulation, we investigate the effect of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on the location of the open‐closed field line boundary(OCB), in particular the duskside and dawnside OCB and their asymmetry. We first model the typical OCB‐crossing events on 22 October 2001 and 24 October 2002 observed by DMSP. The MHD model presents a good estimate of OCB location under quasi‐steady magnetospheric conditions. We then systemically study the location of the OCB under different IMF conditions. The model results show that the dawnside and duskside OCBs respond differently to IMF conditions when BY is present. An empirical expression describing the relationship between the OCB latitudes and IMF conditions has been obtained. It is found that the IMF conditions play an important role in determining the dawn‐dusk OCB asymmetry, which is due to the magnetic reconnection at the dayside magnetopause. The differences between the dawn and dusk OCB latitudes from MHD predictions are in good agreement with the observations.

MESSENGER X-ray observations of magnetosphere–surface interaction on the nightside of Mercury

The recently completed MESSENGER mission to Mercury has detected X-ray fluorescence events on the nightside surface of the planet, induced by the precipitation of electrons. We expand upon previously reported catalogues of such events, using a filter based on elemental fluorescence lines to construct a catalogue covering the full five years of the MESSENGER mission. We find that the locations of the majority of these events are ordered in two clear latitudinal bands on the dawn side of the planet centred at ~50°N and ~20°S. Electron precipitation is implied to be either stable or occurring repeatedly on timescales of up to several minutes, long in relation to characteristic times of the Mercury magnetospheric environment. Conversely, X-ray fluorescence events are observed on only ~40% of MESSENGER orbits, although we note that some events are inevitably lost during the filtering process. We suggest that the regions of most intense precipitation are determined by the location of the relevant magnetic field line footprints on the surface. We are able to place speculative limits on the energies of electrons precipitating in this manner based on fluorescence lines in the observed X-ray spectra. The poleward boundaries of the regions of most intense precipitation are found to be collocated with the open-closed field line boundary. We use a magnetic field model to trace field lines from these fluorescence sites to implied locations of origin in the magnetotail.

Simultaneous ground‐based optical and HF radar observations of the ionospheric footprint of the open/closed field line boundary along the geomagnetic meridian

AbstractPrevious studies have confirmed that the equatorward boundaries of OI 630.0 nm auroral emissions and broad Doppler spectral widths in Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) data, the so‐called spectral width boundary (SWB), are good empirical proxies for the dayside open/closed field line boundary (OCB) in the ionosphere. However, both observational techniques are associated with mapping errors. SuperDARN uses a virtual height model for mapping, but it is not well known how the mapping error responds to a changing background ionosphere or transient reconnection events. Optical instruments, such as the meridian‐scanning photometers, have high spatial resolution near zenith, where the mapping error due to the assumed OI 630.0 nm auroral emission height becomes small by comparison. In this work, an adjusted method is introduced to identify the SWB, which does not require temporal smoothing across several scans. The difference in latitude between the SWB, as identified using this method, and the simultaneously observed OI 630.0 nm auroral emission boundary along a common line of sight is compared. Utilizing the OI 630.0 nm boundary as a reference location, we present two case studies observed at different levels of solar activity. In both instances the latitude offset of SWB from the reference location is discussed in relation to the background ionospheric electron density. The compared results indicate that the intake of high‐density solar extreme ultraviolet ionized plasma from subauroral latitudes causes a refraction of the HF radar beam path, which results in an overestimation of range mapping. The adjusted method would thus be a useful tool for identifying the OCB under changing ionospheric conditions in the cusp region.

The nightside magnetic field line open–closed boundary and polar rain electron energy-latitude dispersion

Abstract. The polar rain electrons near the open–closed field line boundary on the nightside often exhibit energy-latitude dispersion, in which the energy decreases with decreasing latitude. The solar wind electrons from the last open-field line would E × B drift equatorward as they move toward the ionosphere, resulting in the observed dispersion. This process is modeled successfully by an open-field line particle precipitation model. The existing method for determining the magnetotail X line distance from the electron dispersion underestimates the electron path length from the X line to the ionosphere by at least 33%. The best estimate of the path length comes from using the two highest energy electrons in the dispersion region. The magnetic field line open–closed boundary is located poleward of the highest energy electrons in the dispersion region, which in turn is located poleward of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) b6, b5e, and b5i boundaries. In the four events examined, b6 is located at least 0.7–1.5° equatorward of the magnetic field line open–closed boundary. The energy-latitude dispersion seen in the electron overhang may result from the plasma sheet electron curvature and gradient drifts into the newly closed field line.

Open flux in Saturn’s magnetosphere

We characterise the interaction between the solar wind and Saturn’s magnetosphere by evaluating the amount of ‘open’ magnetic flux connected to the solar wind. This is deduced from a large set of Hubble Space Telescope images of the ultraviolet aurora, using the poleward boundary of the main aurora as a proxy for the open-closed field line boundary in the ionosphere. The amount of open flux is found to be 10–50GWb, with a mean of 35GWb. The typical change in open flux between consecutive observations separated by 10–60h is -5 or +7GWb. These changes are a result of imbalance between open flux creation at the dayside magnetopause and its closure in the magnetotail. The 5GWb typical decrease in open flux is consistent with in situ measurements of the flux transported following a reconnection event. Estimates of average, net reconnection rates are found to be typically a few tens of kV, with some extreme examples of unbalanced magnetopause or tail reconnection occurring at ∼300kV. The range of values determined suggest that Saturn’s magnetosphere does not generally achieve a steady state between flux opening at the magnetopause and flux closure in the magnetotail. The percentage of magnetic flux which is open in Saturn’s magnetosphere is similar to that measured at the Earth (2–11%), but the typical percentage that is closed between observations is significantly lower (13% compared to 40–70%). Therefore, open flux is usually closed in smaller (few GWb) events in Saturn’s magnetosphere. The exception to this behaviour is large, rapid flux closure events which are associated with solar wind compressions. While the rates of flux opening and closure should be equal over long timescales, they are evidently different on shorter (up to tens of hours) timescales. The relative independence of the magnetopause and tail reconnection rates can be attributed to the long loading timescales required to transport open field lines into the tail.