Publication Date:
2018-08-16
Description:
The reflection of a fraction of the solar wind at the bow shock to some extent defines the physical properties of what is known as the foreshock, the region where the interplanetary magnetic field has a direct connection to the bow shock. Both ion and electron reflection have been observed and together form a significant source of free energy that is responsible for many of the instabilities observed in this region. In this paper we concentrate on reflection of electrons at the shock and report two significant findings: The first is that the strahl, the field aligned component of the electron solar wind distribution, is fully reflected at the bow shock; the second finding is that the reflection occurs in the foot of the shock and not in the shock ramp. The latter implies that mirroring appears to play, at most, only a minor role in the electron reflection process.
Electronic ISSN:
2568-6402
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Permalink