Two types of tangential magnetopause current sheets: Cluster observations and theory

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 116; no. A12
• Main Authors: Panov, E. V., Artemyev, A. V., Nakamura, R., Baumjohann, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2011
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Atmospheric sciences; cluster; current sheet; Magnetic fields; Magnetism; magnetopause model; Mathematical models; Planetology; Plasma physics; Space; Spacecraft; tangential discontinuity
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2169-9380; 2156-2202; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1029/2011JA016860

Early magnetopause observations revealed that the magnetic field can rotate across tangential current sheets in the form of C‐and S‐shaped hodograms. We use the four‐spacecraft magnetopause crossings by Cluster in order to study the structure of the C‐ and S‐sheets. We show that both current sheets can be described by analytical equilibria. We employ a force‐free current sheet equilibrium for description of the C‐sheet and develop a new equilibrium to describe the S‐sheet. We suggest that both equilibria be used for setting up initial conditions in the next generation of current sheet simulations. Key Points We use the four‐point Cluster measurements to study the magnetopause structure We show that the found magnetopause structure can be described analytically We suggest to use the analytical solutions to set up numerical models