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Evidence for periodic reconnection at Uranus?The unique orientation of Uranus at the time of the Voyager 2 encounter results in a convection dominated magnetosphere. Plasma and magnetic field data from the tail magnetosheath are presented. Velocity decreases of 5-10 percemt seem to occur with a 17-hour period. At least four repetitions of this decrease are observed, in all cases when flow passes over the dayside polar cap. One possible interpretation of these features is that they are signatures of dayside reconnection. The cause of the velocity decreases would be drag on the reconnected flux tubes which are coupled via Birkeland currents to the ionosphere. The coupling efficiency for power transfer between the solar wind and Uranian magnetosphere implied by these decreases is consistent with previous determinations of this quantity.
Document ID
19880060549
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Richardson, J. D.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Belcher, J. W.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Selesnick, R. S.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Zhang, M.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Siscoe, G. L.
(California, University Los Angeles, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 15
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
88A47776
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1189
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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