Magnetic field variations in the Jovian magnetotail induced by solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements

Abstract

In order to understand the response of the Jovian magnetosphere to solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements, we investigate magnetic field variations observed by the Galileo spacecraft. The lack of solar wind monitoring just upstream of the Jovian magnetosphere is overcome by simulating a one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) propagation of the solar wind from the Earth. We identify the events with an increase of the solar wind dynamic pressure >0.25 nPa at the Jovian orbit. Characteristic magnetic field variations are found in the Jovian magnetosphere for all of the nine events. The rectangular waveform due to the Jovian rotation disappears for eight of the nine events. Magnetic field disturbances in the frequency range from 0.3 to 10 mHz are enhanced simultaneously. The maximum amplitude of the disturbances is in proportional to the maximum amplitude of the solar wind dynamic pressure. We suggest that the current sheet is greatly deformed and reconnection bursts are induced under the compressed magnetosphere. Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union.