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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Astrophysics and Astronomy

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Selected Works

2018

Alfvén Mach number

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Asymmetry Of Magnetosheath Flows And Magnetopause Shape During Low Alfvén Mach Number Solar Wind, B. Lavraud, E. Larroque, E. Budnik, V. Génot, J. E. Borovsky, M. W. Dunlop, K. Nykyri, Et Al. Feb 2018

Asymmetry Of Magnetosheath Flows And Magnetopause Shape During Low Alfvén Mach Number Solar Wind, B. Lavraud, E. Larroque, E. Budnik, V. Génot, J. E. Borovsky, M. W. Dunlop, K. Nykyri, Et Al.

Katariina Nykyri

Previous works have emphasized the significant influence of the solar wind Alfvén Mach number (MA) on magnetospheric dynamics. Here we report statistical, observational results that pertain to changes in the magnetosheath flow distribution and magnetopause shape as a function of solar wind MA and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angle orientation. We use all Cluster 1 data in the magnetosheath during the period 2001–2010, using an appropriate spatial superposition procedure, to produce magnetosheath flow distributions as a function of location in themagnetosheath relative to the IMF and other parameters. The results demonstrate that enhanced flows in the magnetosheath are expected …