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This article describes the relationship between shear Alfvén waves and auroral electron acceleration, with an emphasis on long-period standing waves that correlate with redline auroral arcs in the Earth’s magnetosphere. Discrete auroral arcs were correlated with high-latitude field line resonances in the early 1990’s. The past decade has seen advances in all-sky camera technology improve the detection and categorization of “FLR arcs” and establish them as a distinct population. We review observations of redline arcs and discuss estimates of wave amplitudes, wavelengths perpendicular to the geomagnetic field, and saturation times obtained within the framework of two-fluid theories. The two-fluid theory explains the spatial and temporal evolution of FLR optical signatures, but the estimated parallel electric field strengths are insufficient to accelerate electrons and produce 6300 Å auroral emissions. A kinetic theory of FLRs is necessary since electron bounce motion in long-wavelength standing waves affects the ac conductivity and hence the strength of parallel electric fields. In the kinetic theory, the current-voltage relation comprises a conductivity kernel that is a function of the wave frequency, field line length, electron thermal speed, and the number of electron trajectories nearly parallel to geomagnetic field lines close to the ionosphere. The ensuing nonlocal relationship between wave parallel currents and parallel electric fields provides a feasible explanation of the correlation between long-period field line resonances and redline arcs in the terrestrial magnetosphere. The mirror force and particle trapping in the wave fields of shear Alfvén waves are demonstrated to be important aspects of the kinetics of FLRs.

Field Line Resonances (FLRs) are a critical component in Earth's magnetospheric dynamics, associated with the transfer of energy between Ultra Low Frequency waves and local plasma populations. In this study we investigate how the polarisation of FLRs are impacted by cold plasma density distributions during geomagnetic storms. We present an analysis of Van Allen Probe A observations, where the spacecraft traversed a storm time plasmaspheric plume. We show that the polarisation of the FLR is significantly altered at the sharp azimuthal density gradient of the plume boundary, where the polarisation is intermediate with significant poloidal and toroidal components. These signatures are consistent with magnetohydrodynamic modeling results, providing the first observational evidence of a 3D FLR associated with a plume in Earth's magnetosphere. These results demonstrate the importance of cold plasma in controlling wave dynamics in the magnetosphere, and have important implications for wave‐particle interactions at a range of energies. Plain Language Summary Earth's space environment is home to electrons and ions across a wide range of energies, trapped in the region by our global geomagnetic field. Energy can be transferred to and from the trapped particles through oscillations in the magnetic field, and these processes are responsible for the extreme energization of trapped electrons to hazardous levels for local spacecraft. In this paper we explore a type of magnetic field oscillation termed Field Line Resonances (FLRs): standing waves on a field line analogous to the oscillatory motion of guitar strings. We use spacecraft observations to show that the direction of the field line oscillations changes significantly depending on the density of the background plasma. The results confirm previous modeling work, and are the first observational evidence of 3D FLRs at a plume. The findings have important consequences for how FLRs transfer energy between the electrons and ions. Key Points We present the first observational evidence of a 3D Field Line Resonance at the sharp density gradient of a plume edge The observed polarisation change confirms magnetohydrodynamic modeling results and predictions made by Elsden and Wright (2022) The presence of 3D Field Line Resonances during storm times has impacts for how Ultra Low Frequency waves couple and interact with local plasma

The generation of kinetic‐scale flux ropes (KSFRs) is closely related to magnetic reconnection. Both flux ropes and reconnection sites are detected in the magnetosheath and can impact the dynamics upstream of the magnetopause. In this study, using the Magnetospheric Multiscale satellite, 12,623 KSFRs with a scale <20 RCi are statistically studied in the Earth's dayside magnetosheath. It is found that they are mostly generated near the bow shock (BS), and propagate downstream in the magnetosheath. Their quantity significantly increases as the scale decreases, consistent with a flux rope coalescence model. Moreover, the solar wind parameters can control the occurrence rate of KSFRs. They are more easily generated at high Mach number, large proton density, and weak magnetic field strength of the solar wind, similar to the conditions that favor BS reconnection. Our study shows a close connection between KSFR generation and BS reconnection. Plain Language Summary Kinetic‐scale flux ropes (KSFRs) exist widely in near‐earth space and play an important role in mass transport, energy conversion, and dissipation during magnetic field reconnection. The KSFR in the magnetosheath can be generated by reconnection in three regions: the magnetopause, the magnetosheath, and the BS. The spatial distribution of KSFRs can indirectly reflect the reconnection situation in the magnetosheath. We use various methods to select the KSFRs and study their spatial distribution and generation in the magnetosheath. Our results show that BS reconnection plays an important role in generating the KSFR in the magnetosheath. Key Points Kinetic‐scale flux ropes observed in the magnetosheath are primarily generated near the bow shock (BS) and travel to downstream magnetosheath The quantity of flux ropes significantly increases as their scale decreases, which is in accordance with the FR coalescence model The occurrence of flux ropes is influenced by solar wind parameters, and could strongly correlate with BS reconnection

In the analysis of in-situ space plasma and field data, an establishment of the coordinate system and the frame of reference, helps us greatly simplify a given problem and provides the framework that enables a clear understanding of physical processes by ordering the experimental data. For example, one of the most important tasks of space data analysis is to compare the data with simulations and theory, which is facilitated by an appropriate choice of coordinate system and reference frame. While in simulations and theoretical work the establishment of the coordinate system (generally based on the dimensionality or dimension number of the field quantities being studied) and the reference frame (normally moving with the structure of interest) is often straightforward, in space data analysis these are not defined a priori , and need to be deduced from an analysis of the data itself. Although various ways of building a dimensionality-based (D-based) coordinate system (i.e., one that takes account of the dimensionality, e.g., 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D, of the observed system/field), and a reference frame moving along with the structure have been used in space plasma data analysis for several decades, in recent years some noteworthy approaches have been proposed. In this paper, we will review the past and recent approaches in space data analysis for the determination of a structure’s dimensionality and the building of D-based coordinate system and a proper moving frame, from which one can directly compare with simulations and theory. Along with the determination of such coordinate systems and proper frame, the variant axis/normal of 1-D (or planar) structures, and the invariant axis of 2-D structures are determined and the proper frame velocity for moving structures is found. These are found either directly or indirectly through the definition of dimensionality. We therefore emphasize that the determination of dimensionality of a structure is crucial for choosing the most appropriate analysis approach, and failure to do so might lead to misinterpretation of the data. Ways of building various kinds of coordinate systems and reference frames are summarized and compared here, to provide a comprehensive understanding of these analysis tools. In addition, the method of building these systems and frames is shown not only to be useful in space data analysis, but also may have the potential ability for simulation/laboratory data analysis and some practical applications.

This paper presents the results of a linear model for global scale magneto‐hydrodynamic (MHD) waves in a compressed dipole model magnetosphere. We examine scenarios where a localized monochromatic source along the magnetopause boundary launches MHD fast mode ultralow frequency (ULF) waves into the magnetosphere, where they couple to shear Alfvén waves. Sharply peaked field line resonance (FLR) structures are found to form at discrete locations within the magnetosphere in response to the fast mode driver. The extent in local time and relative amplitudes of FLR structures are found to depend strongly on the source location along the magnetopause boundary, indicating how the addition of day/night asymmetry affects the penetration of MHD fast waves within the magnetosphere. This also suggests that observed FLR structures within the magnetosphere may be used to deconvolve the spatial characteristics of the ULF wave source at the magnetopause, giving insight to the excitation mechanism responsible for observed ULF waves. As an example, we consider narrow band ULF activity observed on 25 November 2001 during a high solar wind speed interval following a geomagnetic storm and qualitatively reproduce the spatial and temporal characteristics of observations made by the Prince George SuperDARN radar by constraining the ULF wave source characteristics.

Measurements from ground‐based magnetometers and riometers at auroral latitudes have demonstrated that energetic (∼30–300 keV) electron precipitation can be modulated in the presence of magnetic field oscillations at ultralow frequencies. It has previously been proposed that an ultralow‐frequency (ULF) wave would modulate field and plasma properties near the equatorial plane, thus modifying the growth rates of whistler‐mode waves. In turn, the resulting whistler‐mode waves would mediate the pitch angle scattering of electrons resulting in ionospheric precipitation. In this paper, we investigate this hypothesis by quantifying the changes to the linear growth rate expected due to a slow change in the local magnetic field strength for parameters typical of the equatorial region around 6.6RE radial distance. To constrain our study, we determine the largest possible ULF wave amplitudes from measurements of the magnetic field at geosynchronous orbit. Using nearly ten years of observations from two satellites, we demonstrate that the variation in magnetic field strength due to oscillations at 2 mHz does not exceed ±10% of the background field. Modifications to the plasma density and temperature anisotropy are estimated using idealized models. For low temperature anisotropy, there is little change in the whistler‐mode growth rates even for the largest ULF wave amplitude. Only for large temperature anisotropies can whistler‐mode growth rates be modulated sufficiently to account for the changes in electron precipitation measured by riometers at auroral latitudes. Key Points We estimate changes in whistler‐mode growth rates due to slow ULF oscillations GOES data shows that ULF waves at 6.6RE modulate B‐field strength by <10% Plasma and field ULF variations result in minimal variation in growth rates

Pitch angle scattering of electrons can limit the stably trapped particle flux in the magnetosphere and precipitate energetic electrons into the ionosphere. Whistler mode waves generated by a temperature anisotropy can mediate this pitch angle scattering over a wide range of radial distances and latitudes, but in order to correctly predict the phase space diffusion, it is important to characterize the whistler mode wave distributions that result from the instability. We use previously published observations of number density, pitch angle anisotropy, and phase space density to model the plasma in the quiet prenoon magnetosphere (defined as periods when AE < 100 nT). We investigate the global propagation and growth of whistler mode waves by studying millions of growing raypaths and demonstrate that the wave distribution at any one location is a superposition of many waves at different points along their trajectories and with different histories. We show that for observed electron plasma properties, very few raypaths undergo magnetospheric reflection; most rays grow and decay within 30 degrees of the magnetic equator. The frequency range of the wave distribution at large L can be adequately described by the solutions of the local dispersion relation, but the range of wave normal angle is different. The wave distribution is asymmetric with respect to the wave normal angle. The numerical results suggest that it is important to determine the variation of magnetospheric parameters as a function of latitude, as well as local time and L‐shell. Key Points Ray tracing demonstrates growth and propagation in quiet prenoon magnetosphere Published data used to constrain warm plasma model outside plasmasphere Wave distributions are asymmetric with respect to wave normal angle

The process of magnetospheric radiation belt electron transport driven by ULF waves is studied using a 2‐D ideal MHD model for ULF waves in the equatorial plane including day/night asymmetry and a magnetopause boundary, and a test kinetic model for equatorially mirroring electrons. We find that ULF wave disturbances originating along the magnetopause flanks in the afternoon sector can act to periodically inject phase space density from these regions into the magnetosphere. Closely spaced drift‐resonant surfaces for electrons with a given magnetic moment in the presence of the ULF waves create a layer of stochastic dynamics for L‐shells above 6.5–7 in the cases examined, extending to the magnetopause. The phase decorrelation time scale for the stochastic region is estimated by the relaxation time for the diffusion coefficient to reach a steady value. This is found to be of the order of 10–15 wave periods, which is commensurate with the typical duration of observed ULF wave packets in the magnetosphere. For L‐shells earthward of the stochastic layer, transport is limited to isolated drift‐resonant islands in the case of narrowband ULF waves. We examine the effect of increasing the bandwidth of the ULF wave driver by summing together wave components produced by a set of independent runs of the ULF wave model. The wave source spectrum is given a flat‐top amplitude of variable width (adjusted for constant power) and random phase. We find that increasing bandwidth can significantly enhance convective transport earthward of the stochastic layer and extend the stochastic layer to lower L‐shells. Key Points ULF wave driven electron transport is modeled including day/night asymmetry Multiple drift resonances cause stochasticity/diffusion only on long time scales Moderate ULF bandwidth enhances transport; convective features can persist

Ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves are ubiquitous in the magnetosphere. Previous studies mostly focused on ULF waves in the dayside or near-Earth region (with radial distance R<12 RE). In this study, using the data of the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) mission during the period from 2008 to 2015, the Pc5–6 ULF waves in the tail region with XGSM∗<0, 8 RE

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