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@article{Masters:2014:10.1002/2014JA020077,
author = {Masters, A},
doi = {10.1002/2014JA020077},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics},
pages = {5520--5538},
title = {Magnetic reconnection at Uranus' magnetopause},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2014JA020077},
volume = {119},
year = {2014}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - The magnetosphere of Uranus has barely been explored by spacecraft but is distinct from other solar system magnetospheres in many respects. Determining how this magnetosphere is coupled to the solar wind is central to understanding energy flow through the system. Here we assess how the solar wind interacts with the Uranian magnetosphere via magnetic reconnection. Analytical models of conditions at the magnetopause are combined with current understanding of reconnection onset to predict where reconnection may occur on the boundary. The results suggest that conditions at Uranus' magnetopause are generally less favorable for reconnection than those at the magnetopause of any planet closer to the Sun, as a result of how typical solar wind parameters vary with heliocentric distance. The location of reconnection sites on the Uranian magnetopause is likely to be highly dependent on not only the interplanetary magnetic field orientation but also planetary longitude and season. Solar wind–magnetosphere coupling via magnetic reconnection may be stronger under nearsolstice conditions than under nearequinox conditions. We discuss the typical reconnection electric field strength at Uranus' magnetopause and suggest that the typical reconnection voltage is considerably less than 40 kV. Complimentary assessments of other means of coupling to the solar wind (e.g., via a “viscouslike” interaction) are needed to establish the overall nature of solar wind–magnetosphere coupling at Uranus.
AU - Masters,A
DO - 10.1002/2014JA020077
EP - 5538
PY - 2014///
SN - 2169-9380
SP - 5520
TI - Magnetic reconnection at Uranus' magnetopause
T2 - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2014JA020077
UR - http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000340549000027&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
UR - https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2014JA020077
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/21802
VL - 119
ER -