SM51A-2542
Electron and ion distribution functions in magnetopause reconnection
Friday, 18 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Shan Wang1,2, Li-Jen Chen1,2, Naoki Bessho1,2, Michael Hesse2, Lynn M Kistler3, Roy B Torbert3, Christopher Mouikis3 and Craig J Pollock2, (1)University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD, United States, (2)NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States, (3)University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
Abstract:
We investigate electron and ion velocity distribution functions in dayside magnetopause reconnection events observed by the Cluster and MMS spacecraft. The goal is to build a spatial map of electron and ion distribution features to enable the indication of the spacecraft location in the reconnection structure, and to understand plasma energization processes. Distribution functions, together with electromagnetic field structures, plasma densities, and bulk velocities, are organized and compared with particle-in-cell simulation results to indicate the proximities to the reconnection X-line. Anisotropic features in the distributions of magnetospheric- and magnetosheath- origin electrons at different locations in the reconnection inflow and exhaust are identified. In particular, parallel electron heating is observed in both the magnetosheath and magnetosphere inflow regions. Possible effects of the guide field strength, waves, and upstream density and temperature asymmetries on the distribution features will be discussed.
