Exploring Jupiter's Mid‐Latitude Dusk Magnetopause: The Impact of Magnetic Reconnection

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Abstract
The Juno mission has elucidated magnetosphere processes, structure, and dynamics via multi‐instrument plasma and magnetic field observations. In this study, these instruments are used to identify magnetic reconnection during the Juno extended mission from a survey of 490 magnetopause crossings at the mid‐latitude southern dusk magnetopause. This survey spans distances of 30–99 R J , 14–20 local time, and 30°–65° in southern latitude. We identify reconnection outflow jets, plasma heating, and Hall magnetic fields as reconnection signatures while independently applying the Swisdak and Walén relations to each magnetopause crossing. Additionally, eastward versus westward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions are compared in this context. The results show that magnetic reconnection is most likely to occur during eastward IMF at the mid‐latitude dusk magnetopause due to favorable magnetic shear conditions. The identified eastward IMF reconnection events strongly adhere to the Walén relation, showing signatures of Alfvénic flow perturbations.
Funding Information
  • National Science Foundation (2350463)

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