An assessment of the length and variability of Mercury's magnetotail

作者：Milan S E^*; Slavin J A

来源：Planetary and Space Science, 2011, 59(15): 2058-2065.

DOI：10.1016/j.pss.2011.05.007

• Mercury
• Magnetosphere
• Magnetotail
• Substorm
• Solar wind-magnetosphere coupling

We employ Mariner 10 measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field in the vicinity of Mercury to estimate the rate of magnetic reconnection between the interplanetary magnetic field and the Hermean magnetosphere. We derive a time-series of the open magnetic flux in Mercury's magnetosphere, from which we can deduce the length of the magnetotail. The length of the magnetotail is shown to be highly variable, with open field lines stretching between 15R(H) and 850R(H) downstream of the planet (median 150R(H)). Scaling laws allow the tail length at perihelion to be deduced from the aphelion Mariner 10 observations.

• 出版日期2011-12