Reconstructing the Geometry of a Hot Flow Anomaly With Bounding Jets in Magnetosheath

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Authors: Yufei Zhou, Boyi Wang, Savvas Raptis, S. Wang, Jin Guo, Jih‐Hong Shue, David G. Sibeck, Quanming Lu, Jiamei Zhang, Chao Shen, Rungployphan Kieokaew, C. Philippe Escoubet
+2 more Peng Shao, James Burch
Cited by: 1
References: 47

Abstract

Abstract When interplanetary magnetic field discontinuities interact with planetary bow shocks, hot flow anomalies (HFAs) form in the solar wind and can extend into the magnetosheath. Here we reconstruct the three‐dimensional geometry of an HFA bounded by two jet regions in the terrestrial magnetosheath. Using a previously established conceptual model of HFA evolution together with in situ measurements in the magnetosheath and pristine solar wind, we derive the structure's geometrical characteristics and show that its normal aligns with the discontinuity normal. It spans most of the dayside magnetosheath. Ground magnetometer data corroborate the reconstruction, revealing both the scale of the disturbance and its dusk‐to‐dawn propagation. Notably, one bounding jet reaches 11 in width, significantly larger than the sizes of typical magnetosheath jets reported in the literature.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Volume
53
Issue
3
Publication date
29 January 2026
Language
EN