Statistical Study of the Role Played by the Magnetosheath in the Solar Wind - Magnetosphere - Ionosphere Coupling

Abstract:

The magnetosheath behaves as a natural filter/interface between the solar wind, and the inner magnetosphere. As a result, to a large extent the magnetosheath properties and associated processes dictate, and regulate the plasma transport into the inner magnetosphere. We present a statistical mapping methodology for studying the system wide global coupling between the solar wind - magnetosheath - magnetosphere. This methodology has already been extensively used to study the statistical properties of the magnetosheath (e.g. dawn-dusk asymmetries) as a function of upstream solar wind conditions, and has recently been adapted to include the inner magnetosphere. This methodology is also relevant to the recent MMS mission, in which these data could be incorporated for additional capabilities. Our study focusses on the role played by the magnetosheath in the solar wind - ionosphere coupling process via the driving of plasma transport processes such as magnetic reconnection, and viscous interactions (e.g. Kelvin Helmholtz Instability). Although these mechanisms provide direct driving to the ionosphere, we also discuss the role of the magnetosheath’s impact on magnetotail properties relevant to the loading, and unloading processes during substorms.