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The Role of the Hall Effect in Global Structure and Dynamics of Planetary Magnetospheres: Ganymede as a Case StudyWe present high-resolution Hall MHD simulations of Ganymede's magnetosphere demonstrating that Hall electric fields in ion-scale magnetic reconnection layers have significant global effects not captured in resistive MHD simulations. Consistent with local kinetic simulations of magnetic reconnection, our global simulations show the development of intense field-aligned currents along the magnetic separatrices. These currents extend all the way down to the moon's surface, where they may contribute to Ganymede's aurora. Within the magnetopause and magnetotail current sheets, Hall J x B forces accelerate ions to the local Alfven speed in the out-of-plane direction, producing a global system of ion drift belts that circulates Jovian magnetospheric plasma throughout Ganymede's magnetosphere. We discuss some observable consequences of these Hall-induced currents and ion drifts: the appearance of a sub-Jovian 'double magnetopause' structure, an Alfvenic ion jet extending across the upstream magnetopause, and an asymmetric pattern of magnetopause Kelvin-Helmholtz waves.
Document ID
20170000984
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Dorelli, J. C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Glocer, Alex
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Collinson, Glyn
(Catholic Univ. of America Washington, DC, United States)
Toth, Gabor
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Date Acquired
January 31, 2017
Publication Date
July 7, 2015
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Publisher: AGU Publications
Volume: 120
Issue: 7
e-ISSN: 2169-9402
Subject Category
Physics Of Elementary Particles And Fields
Mathematical And Computer Sciences (General)
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN32381
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG11PL10A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Magnetic Reconnection
Computational MHD
Ganymede

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