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Kinetic-Scale Magnetic Turbulence and Finite Larmor Radius Effects at MercuryWe use a nonstationary generalization of the higher-order structure function technique to investigate statistical properties of the magnetic field fluctuations recorded by MESSENGER spacecraft during its first flyby (01/14/2008) through the near-Mercury space environment, with the emphasis on key boundary regions participating in the solar wind - magnetosphere interaction. Our analysis shows, for the first time, that kinetic-scale fluctuations play a significant role in the Mercury's magnetosphere up to the largest resolvable timescale (approx.20 s) imposed by the signal nonstationariry, suggesting that turbulence at this plane I is largely controlled by finite Larmor radius effects. In particular, we report the presence of a highly turbulent and extended foreshock system filled with packets of ULF oscillations, broad-band intermittent fluctuations in the magnetosheath, ion-kinetic turbulence in the central plasma sheet of Mercury's magnetotail, and kinetic-scale fluctuations in the inner current sheet encountered at the outbound (dawn-side) magnetopause. Overall, our measurements indicate that the Hermean magnetosphere, as well as the surrounding region, are strongly affected by non-MHD effects introduced by finite sizes of cyclotron orbits of the constituting ion species. Physical mechanisms of these effects and their potentially critical impact on the structure and dynamics of Mercury's magnetic field remain to be understood.
Document ID
20110023543
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Uritsky, V. M.
(Calgary Univ. Alberta, Canada)
Slavin, J. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Khazanov, G. V.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Donovan, E. F.
(Calgary Univ. Alberta, Canada)
Boardsen, S. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Anderson, B. J.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Korth, H.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
September 29, 2011
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 116
Issue: A09236
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.5483.2011
GSFC.JA.01253.2012
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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