Sun  ID: 4454

MMS Fly Along with Magnetopause Reconnection

In this data visualization, we fly along with the MMS spacecraft in tetrahedral formation. The mesh structure in the distance is the magnetopause.

Each image frame corresponds to a time step of 30 milliseconds, one of the faster data sampling modes for MMS.

The arrows represent the data collected by the spacecraft. To better comprehend changes as the spacecraft moves along, the data are allowed to 'echo' along the spacecraft trail. The length of the vectors represent the relative magnitude of the vector. However, the electron and proton vectors are scaled so equal velocities correspond to vectors of equal magnitude.

  • Magenta represents the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field at the spacecraft position.
  • Yellow represents the direction and magnitude of the bulk motion (total average) velocity of the electrons measured at the spacecraft position.
  • Blue represents the direction and magnitude of the bulk motion (total average) velocity of the protons measured at the spacecraft position.

 

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Visualization Credits

Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Visualizer
Laurence Schuler (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Technical Support
Ian Jones (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Technical Support
Genna Duberstein (USRA): Producer
Thomas Moore (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Jim Burch (SwRI): Scientist
Paul Cassak (West Virginia University): Scientist
Steven C. Martin (ADNET): Scientific Data Support
Daniel J. Gershman (University of Maryland College Park): Scientific Data Support
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

Science Paper:
Electron-scale measurements of magnetic reconnection in space

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4454

Mission:
Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)

Data Used:
MMS/FIELDS also referred to as: MMS-FIELDS
Observed Data - 2015-10-16T13:03:34.003(TAI) - 2015-10-16T13:07:43.934(TAI)
MMS/Fast Plasma Investigation also referred to as: MMS-FPI
Event List - 2015-10-16T13:03:34.003(TAI) - 2015-10-16T13:07:43.934(TAI)
Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.

This item is part of this series:
MMS Sees Reconnection at the Magnetopause

Keywords:
SVS >> Hyperwall
NASA Science >> Sun