Shehina Shaji
Physics
Feburary 2025
This study investigates the mechanisms by which Kelvin-Helmholtz Instabilities (KHIs) manifest in various interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) scenarios along the magnetopause boundaries of Neptune and Uranus. The magneto sheath separates the shocked solar wind plasma from the magnetospheric plasma, and an analytical model is used to study its dynamics. The model determines the likelihood of KHI generation under different orientations and IMF strengths (ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 nT), taking into consideration constant densities for the solar wind and magnetosphere. The results demonstrate that the magnetopauses of the two planets are conducive to the formation of KHI, particularly at low values of the IMF. Further from the subsolar point, where there is no diurnal or seasonal variation, KHI production is more likely to take place. The Neptunian magnetopause shows a stronger tendency to produce KHI at higher IMF intensity. These results highlight the importance of considering KHI dynamics in future space missions to the outer solar system for understanding plasma transport and magnetospheric processes at Neptune and Uranus. The study also suggests that future studies use high-resolution models to account for variations in solar wind interaction that are time-dependent
190- 204
© Airo Journals 2021
