Magnetotail reconnection and flux circulation: Jupiter and Saturn compared C.M. Jackman, M.F. Vogt, J.A. Slavin, S.W.H. Cowley, S.A. Boardsen Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets, Boston, July 2011 Cowley et al. [2004] Cowley et al. [2003] Jupite r Saturn
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Magnetotail reconnection and flux circulation: Jupiter and Saturn compared
Magnetotail reconnection and flux circulation: Jupiter and Saturn compared. Jupiter. Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets, Boston, July 2011. C.M. Jackman, M.F. Vogt, J.A. Slavin, S.W.H. Cowley, S.A. Boardsen. Saturn. Cowley et al. [2003]. Cowley et al. [2004]. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Magnetotail reconnection and flux circulation: Jupiter and Saturn compared
C.M. Jackman, M.F. Vogt, J.A. Slavin, S.W.H. Cowley, S.A. Boardsen
Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets, Boston, July 2011
Cowley et al. [2004]
Cowley et al. [2003]
Jupiter
Saturn
In situ reconnection signatures
In situ reconnection signatures
Plasmoid formation and ejection compresses adjacent regions of the magnetosphere to create Travelling Compression Regions (TCRs).
Vogt et al. [2010]
Slavin et al. [1984]
Stretched magnetotail
After reconnection, B component deflected northward/southward
Dipolarization Plasmoid ejection
Plasmoids at Jupiter
249 events found [Vogt et al., 2010]Inferred x-line position ~90 RJ post-midnight from inward/outward flowsSome events in isolation, but also observe “chain” events
Vogt et al. [2010]
Plasmoids and TCRs at Saturn
34 plasmoids, 16 TCRs
Most during deep tail orbits in 2006
Most events occur in isolation but some in “chains”, associated with same reconnection event.
40 GWb average tail flux content~13 plasmoids to cycle tail flux
For Dungey-cycle timescale of ~6-10 days, mean recurrence rate of ~1.3-2.2 plasmoids per day
Observational rate:In 2006, Cassini spent ~84 days in region: R>20 RS, |BR| < 1.5 nT, and found 34 plasmoids
Observational recurrence rate of 1 plasmoid every ~2.4 days
Jupiter: Saturn:Number of in situ reconnection events
~250 ~50 (34 plasmoids, 16 TCRs)
Duration of plasmoid observation
~8 minutes ~8 minutes
Duration of PPPS observation
~90 minutes ~58 minutes
Flux transport per event ?? Up to 3 GWb
Likely recurrence rate ?? ~19 hours
Summary
For more information, see:Vogt et al. Reconnection and flows in the Jovian magnetotail as inferred from magnetometer observations, [JGR, 2010]
Jackman et al. Cassini observations of plasmoid structure and dynamics: Implications for the role of magnetic reconnection in magnetospheric circulation at Saturn, [in press, JGR, 2011]