Paper#: 123
Poster #:
Session Name: Workshop 2B: Particle/MHD Substorms
Room: 200ABC
Day: Monday
Time: 1:30-1:55 p.m.
Abstract Title: Relating Thin Current Sheet Formation and Tail Reconnection to Substorm Development
PresentSurname: Birn, J.
All Authors: J. Birn, K. Schindler, M. Hesse
Abstract : Observations and simulations have demonstrated the important role of thin current sheet formation and magnetic reconnection in the course of substorms. We present new results on the formation of thin current sheets, obtained both within MHD and kinetic theory. They demonstrate when kinetic effects become important and indicate the possibility of a catastrophic onset of substorm dynamics and the potential association with arc brightening. MHD simulations show the role of reconnection in the buildup of the substorm current wedge.