Comparison of Sub-proton Scale Magnetic Holes in the Magnetosheath, Magnetotail, and Foreshock

Authors: Justin Bowman (West Virginia University), Katherine Goodrich (West Virginia University), Dylan Conner (West Virginia University), Justin Riggs (West Virginia University)

Magnetic holes are frequently observed throughout Earth’s magnetosphere, but there is still much about them that is not understood. Magnetic holes are local depressions in the magnetic field strength caused by current vortices. These current vortices can be carried by electrons or ions, but the electron, or sub-proton driven magnetic holes are seemingly the most abundant. Some of these questions are how magnetic holes form, how they evolve over time, and one this project seeks to answer, are there any unexpected differences between magnetic holes from different regions of Earth’s magnetosphere? By utilizing MMS these sub-proton magnetic holes can be found throughout different regions of Earth’s magnetosphere and cataloged with both information on the environment they were found in and of the actual magnetic hole. With this set of data we will discuss the differences between magnetic holes found in the Magnetosheath, Magnetotail, and the Foreshock and try to answer some of the questions that remain about these mysterious magnetic holes.