Multi-scale processes of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at Earth’s magnetopause
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability (KHI) is a large scale convective instability which occurs anywhere the velocity shear between two fluids is large, such as Earth’s magnetopause where the fast flowing magnetosheath abuts the relatively stagnant outer magnetosphere. The KHI was initially believed to contribute only to energy and momentum transfer from the solar wind to the magnetosphere, but was eventually shown to support mass transport and plasma heating. Recent advancements in in-situ observational capabilities and high scale computer modeling have once again shifted our understanding of the KHI from a large scale process, to an active environment which connects the global and kinetic scales through a variety of multi-scale processes and phenomena. In this mini-review, we provide an update on the latest findings in Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) related processes at kinetic scales and the effects of the global environment on KH development.
Institutions: Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Austrian Academy of Sciences, University of Graz, Space Research Institute, United States Air Force Research Laboratory, University of New Mexico, Johns Hopkins University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Florida Campus, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,125
OpenAlex ID: W4402808694