Co-sponsored by: MIPSE

Magnetosphere plasma dynamics continue to challenge our understanding of energy release in the near-earth environment. Magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), particle-in-Cell (PIC), and test particle simulations are used to describe the dynamic evolution of the magnetotail, associated with substorms (energy releases from the magneto-tail) and other dipolarization events. Simulations show the formation of thin current sheets embedded in the wider plasma sheet due to solar wind interactions. PIC then demon-strates the onset of tearing instabilities and magnetic reconnection, causing fast plasma flows and dipolarization. These phenomena are then followed by MHD simulations which form the basis of test particle simulations, which pro-vide details on acceleration mechanisms, and phase space distributions. Results compare fa-vorably with THEMIS and MMS observations.

Speaker(s): Dr. Joachim Birn,

Location:
Room: 1005
Bldg: EECS
1301 Beal Ave
Ann Arbor, Michigan
48109