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Probing the Magnetosheath Boundaries Using Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) Orbital Encounters
S T Hart1,2, M A Dayeh1,2, D B Reisenfeld3
1Southwest Research Institute San Antonio TX USA.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics
|July 22, 2022
Summary
The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission detects magnetosheath ions, revealing Earth's magnetopause and bow shock locations. This background signal helps map these boundaries and shows magnetotail squeezing during strong solar wind conditions.
Area of Science:
- Space Physics
- Heliospheric Physics
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) energetic neutral atom (ENA) imager detects a significant background count rate within the magnetosheath.
- This background originates from solar wind ions deflecting around Earth's magnetopause, scattering, and neutralizing on the IBEX-Hi sunshade.
- These neutralized atoms are indistinguishable from distant ENA emissions, creating a unique signature of magnetosheath crossings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate IBEX encounters with magnetosheath boundaries using approximately 8 years of orbital data.
- To determine the magnetopause (MP) and bow shock (BS) locations using the detected background ENA signal.
- To demonstrate IBEX's capability in identifying magnetosheath crossings and extending boundary observations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of approximately 8 years of IBEX-Hi orbital data to identify distinct background count rates.
- Determination of magnetopause and bow shock crossing locations based on the identified ENA background signal.
- Comparison of IBEX-derived boundary locations with data from other spacecraft missions (IMP-8, Geotail, Cluster, etc.).
Main Results:
- Identified 280 bow shock crossings (X_GSE ~11 Re to ~-36 Re) and 241 magnetopause crossings (X_GSE ~6 Re to ~-48 Re).
- IBEX crossing locations show good agreement with magnetopause and bow shock positions inferred from other mission data.
- Observed evidence of near-Earth magnetotail squeezing during periods of strong interplanetary magnetic field By.
Conclusions:
- The IBEX-Hi background ENA signal serves as a reliable indicator for identifying magnetosheath crossings and mapping magnetospheric boundaries.
- IBEX data extends magnetosheath boundary observations significantly beyond the terminator, aiding in refining magnetosheath boundary models.
- The study provides observational evidence for magnetotail dynamics, specifically squeezing, influenced by solar wind conditions.
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