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Preface: Plasma transport across magnetospheric boundaries

Publication at Faculty of Mathematics and Physics |
2016

Abstract

A plasma entering the magnetosphere crosses two principal boundaries - the bow shock and magnetopause. The crossing of the bow shock significantly modifies plasma parameters as well as the direction and magnitude of the frozen-in interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) creating a key region - the magnetosheath - for a transfer of solar wind mass and momentum to the magnetosphere.

A highly turbulent magnetosheath plasma and magnetic field then interact with the magnetopause and can penetrate deeper into the magnetosphere.