Bursty magnetic reconnection at the Earth's magnetopause triggered by high-speed jets

TL;DR

This study uses 3D hybrid simulations to investigate how high-speed jets in the magnetosheath trigger localized magnetic reconnection at the Earth's magnetopause, revealing dynamic responses under turbulent conditions.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of high-speed jets on magnetopause dynamics and reconnection processes using detailed hybrid simulations under turbulent conditions.

Findings

Magnetopause moves inward after jet impact

Current sheet is compressed and intensified

Local magnetic reconnection signatures are observed

Abstract

The impact of high-speed jets -- dynamic pressure enhancements in the magnetosheath -- on the Earth's magnetopause has been observed to trigger local magnetic reconnection. We perform a three-dimensional hybrid simulation to study the magnetosheath and magnetopause under turbulent conditions using a quasi-radial southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). In contrast to quasi-steady reconnection with a strong southward IMF, we show that after the impact of a jet on the magnetopause, the magnetopause moves inwards, the current sheet is compressed and intensified and signatures of local magnetic reconnection are observed, showing similarities to spacecraft measurements