Global Three‐Dimensional Structure of Flux Transfer Events: THEMIS‐MMS‐Cluster Coordinated Observation

Abstract We present consecutive observations of Flux Transfer Events (FTEs) on 10 November 2020, using MMS, THEMIS and Cluster spacecraft located at different magnetopause locations. Two typical scale FTE signatures are successively observed by low‐latitude THEMIS, mid‐latitude MMS and high latitude Cluster, reflecting their global spatial scale characteristics. Multi‐spacecraft observation also revealed the complete 3‐D structure of the FTEs, with azimuthal extended section, magnetosheath and magnetospheric arm. The simultaneous existence of different magnetic field line topologies during the FTEs indicates the generation mechanism of multiple X‐line reconnection. Successive observations with intervals of several minutes revealed some evolutionary features of FTEs, including an increase in size and flux, and disappearance of the magnetic dip region on both sides. Our observations give a complete 3‐D picture of FTEs on a global scale, which can improve our understanding of the transient magnetic reconnection and solar wind‐magnetosphere interaction at the magnetopause.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2025-02-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024gl113000
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.31

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Global Three‐Dimensional Structure of Flux Transfer Events: THEMIS‐MMS‐Cluster Coordinated Observation

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2 citations
Geophysical Research Letters
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
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article

Global Three‐Dimensional Structure of Flux Transfer Events: THEMIS‐MMS‐Cluster Coordinated Observation

Gongqin Liu, Tieyan Wang, Y. Xu, Jiang Liu, Yang Tian, M. W. Dunlop, Jinsong Zhao, Jinbin Cao, Xiangcheng Dong, Xin Li, X.‐K. Wang
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Abstract We present consecutive observations of Flux Transfer Events (FTEs) on 10 November 2020, using MMS, THEMIS and Cluster spacecraft located at different magnetopause locations. Two typical scale FTE signatures are successively observed by low‐latitude THEMIS, mid‐latitude MMS and high latitude Cluster, reflecting their global spatial scale characteristics. Multi‐spacecraft observation also revealed the complete 3‐D structure of the FTEs, with azimuthal extended section, magnetosheath and magnetospheric arm. The simultaneous existence of different magnetic field line topologies during the FTEs indicates the generation mechanism of multiple X‐line reconnection. Successive observations with intervals of several minutes revealed some evolutionary features of FTEs, including an increase in size and flux, and disappearance of the magnetic dip region on both sides. Our observations give a complete 3‐D picture of FTEs on a global scale, which can improve our understanding of the transient magnetic reconnection and solar wind‐magnetosphere interaction at the magnetopause.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 52(4)
Yunnan University (CN), Purple Mountain Observatory (CN), Mars Space (United Kingdom) (GB), Beihang University (CN)
Sight Research UK, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province, Natural Environment Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
2.31
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