Space around the Earth

2000/10/01 Irazabalbeitia, Inaki - kimikaria eta zientzia-dibulgatzaileaElhuyar Fundazioa Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

Solar wind and shock surface

The shock surface is the region in which solar wind particles disappear from supersonic to subsonic velocity. Those that occur are not yet known. Likewise, very little is known about the electromagnetic waves of the solar wind, how they are transmitted separately by the shock surface and by the front of the magnetosphere. Cluster II will analyze these two processes

Magnetopause

It is a thin layer that separates the solar wind from the Earth's magnetic field. In this place the plasma pressure of the solar wind and the internal magnetic pressure of the magnetosphere are in balance. As the pressure of the solar wind is constantly changing, the magnetopause is in continuous motion. On the other hand, although the magnetopause is a waterproof layer, the plasma of the solar wind can penetrate the magnetosphere a poxi. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain this, such as the pressure pulses of the solar wind and the reconnection of the Earth's magnetic field with the interplanetary magnetic field. Cluster II will study the movement of magnetopause and leaks.

Polar depressions

Near the surface of the magnetopause, the Earth's magnetic field is tangential to it almost everywhere, so that the particles of the solar wind find a kind of barrier. However, in two places, in each of the hemispheres, the magnetic field is almost perpendicular to the magnetopause and the particles of the sun's winds can penetrate the magnetosphere. Cluster II will analyze what happens in both regions.

Magnetocola

In the magnetoflow, the magnetic field line extends solar wind flows into the same wind. In its external region are two lobes and the limit of the plasma zone and in the center the plasma zone. Lobes are large stores of magnetic energy. Cluster II will analyze lobe activity.

Plasma zone limit

The limit of the plasma core is often the most active region of the magnetoflow. Both Earth and Earth circulate ion beams. To know the origin and mechanism of creation of these headings, multipoint measurements are absolutely necessary and so will Cluster II. At the center of the plasma core is a neutral lamina in which the magnetic field is weak. Apparently, neutral foil is an appropriate place for magnetic reconnection, where ions accelerate to Earth.