Date of Award
Fall 2025
Project Type
Dissertation
Program or Major
Physics
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
First Advisor
Matthew Argall
Second Advisor
David Mattingly
Third Advisor
Lynn Kistler
Abstract
Ever since their initial observation by the Ulysses probe, many models of magnetic switchbacks were put forth, but relatively little empirical evidence exists to verify these models, especially in terms of the ions that make up the accompanying plasma. I take energetic particle data from the Parker Solar Probe within switchbacks to provide experimental evidence to bolster the interchange reconnection driven models with particular interest in the interchange reconnection driven linear model. Statistical Analysis of switchbacks in the vicinity of CMEs, solar flares, and high-speed streams show properties consistent with the linear interchange reconnection model, and an analysis of switchbacks in a Twin-CME event displays evidence of switchbacks being produced by reconnection. Additionally, I observe a switchback in the magnetosheath using MMS and obtain evidence that it was formed by interchange reconnection at the magnetopause.
Recommended Citation
McDougall, Emily Owen, "Verifying Interchange Reconnection Models for Magnetic Switchbacks Using the Parker Solar Probe and MMS" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations. 2928.
https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation/2928