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Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the magnetopause boundaryAn MHD model is defined for the convective Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (CKHI) which satellite data indicates produces vortices in the near-earth region of the plasma sheet through turbulence caused by shear flow. The MHD equations are solved as an initial value problem, which reveals that the CKHI growth rate is the same as that of the periodic KHI (PKHI). However, the CKHI is not as limited in the range of amplitude as is the PKHI, which experiences stability in nonlinear growth because of the periodic characteristics of the growth. A perpendicularly moving CKHI can produce a large vortex flow and shocks off the vortex boundary. The satellite data indicate that the vortices are in the size range of 10-20 earth radii. Additional effects can include the expulsion of magnetic flux and the formation of the boundary layer. The success of the model up to the point of formation of the boundary layer is taken as an incentive for further model development using more realistic magnetospheric data.
Document ID
19860048609
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wu, C. C.
(California, University Los Angeles, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 91
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
86A33347
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-82-18746
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-78
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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