Variations of magnetic field and plasma parameters in the magnetosheath related to reconnection pulses

The interplanetary magnetic field is enhanced in a thin layer near the magnetopause which is called the magnetic barrier or plasma depletion layer. The magnetic energy stored in the magnetic barrier can be released during the process of magnetic field reconnection. Using ideal magnetohydrodynamics and assuming a sudden decrease of the magnetic field near the magnetopause due to the reconnection pulse, we analyze the model variations of the plasma parameters and the magnetic field at the magnetosheath. For a given reconnection rate and calculated parameters of the magnetic barrier, we derive the duration of a reconnection pulse as a function of the solar wind parameters. (C) 2003 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.