Global-scale magnetosphere convection driven by dayside magnetic reconnection

Lei Dai (), Minghui Zhu, Yong Ren, Walter Gonzalez, Chi Wang, David Sibeck, Andrey Samsonov, Philippe Escoubet, Binbin Tang, Jiaojiao Zhang and Graziella Branduardi-Raymont
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Lei Dai: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Minghui Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yong Ren: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Walter Gonzalez: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chi Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
David Sibeck: Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA
Andrey Samsonov: University College London
Philippe Escoubet: European Space Agency (ESA)
Binbin Tang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiaojiao Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Graziella Branduardi-Raymont: University College London

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Plasma convection on a global scale is a fundamental feature of planetary magnetosphere. The Dungey cycle explains that steady-state convection within the closed part of the magnetosphere relies on magnetic reconnection in the nightside magnetospheric tail. Nevertheless, time-dependent models of the Dungey cycle suggest an alternative scenario where magnetospheric convection can be solely driven by dayside magnetic reconnection. In this study, we provide direct evidence supporting the scenario of dayside-driven magnetosphere convection. The driving process is closely connected to the evolution of Region 1 and Region 2 field-aligned currents. Our global simulations demonstrate that intensified magnetospheric convection and field-aligned currents progress from the dayside to the nightside within 10–20 minutes, following a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field. Observational data within this short timescale also reveal enhancements in both magnetosphere convection and the ionosphere’s two-cell convection. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms driving planetary magnetosphere convection, with implications for the upcoming Solar-Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44992-y

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