Magnetic field line merging and detection methods

In the plasma, which is emitted from the Sun, the so-called solar wind, the magnetic field of the Sun is frozen into the plasma. The theorem of plasma physics says that an ideal plasma cannot penetrate a magnetic field, therefore, the solar wind is forced to move aroung the Earth`s magnetic field, forming a magnetic cavity. The boundary layer formed by this interaction is called the Earth`s magnetopause. Since ideal processes are not really occuring in nature, there are perturbations occuring at the magnetopause, which lead to the generation of shock waves. The shock waves are generating a connection between the interplanetary magnetic field and the geomagnetic field combined with heating and acceleration of plasma in these regions. This process is called flux transfer event and is leading to perturbations in the ambient magnetic fields, which can be detected with magnetometers on bord of satellites, like Cluster or ISEE. But a detailed and physically satisfactory explanation of the processes involved is only partially done today and there are many questions unsolved now. In our work, we try to verify theoretical models of magnetic field line merging with measured satellite data for the first time. This method enables us to determine the physical processes involved in this phenomenon. One of these processes should be the occurrence of an interchange instability at the magnetopause. This leads to fluctuations, which may trigger transient phenomena like flux transfer events. Further we would develop the theoretical foundation for the detection of reconnection processes on Mercury by the ESA mission BepiColombo. Because of the higher particle density of the solar wind and the weaker internal magnetic field of Mercury, all these phenomena should occur in an amplified way on Mercury. The work will be done in cooperation with the Institute of Physics of the State University of St. Petersburg, Russia, the Institute for Computational Modelling of the Russian Academy of Science in Krasnoyasrk, the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space of the University of New Hampshire, USA, and other international partners. Project results will then be published in most reputed international journals, such as the Journal of Geophysical Research or Planetary and Space Science. The proposed working group of Prof. H. K. Biernat has experience with the theoretical description of solar-planetary physics as well as space plasma physics in general. The analysis of experimental data should be guaranteed by the cooperation with reputed experts on the field of data analysis and modelling.