Restructuring of the Entire Dayside Magnetosheath by Shock-Discontinuity Interaction

The magnetosheath is a region formed by the interaction of the supersonic solar wind with a planetary magnetosphere. While solar wind density and velocity are the primary external factors influencing the magnetosheath’s state, recent studies have underscored the important role of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in degenerating the Martian dayside magnetosheath. Here, we report a large-scale restructuring of the Earth’s entire dayside magnetosheath, driven by the interaction of the bow shock with an IMF discontinuity. This restructuring process involved the formation of two jet regions and a hot flow anomaly core and a large-scale deformation of both bow shock and magnetopause boundary surfaces. Given that shock-discontinuity interaction is a universal phenomenon that can occur at all planets, we anticipate that magnetosheath restructuring driven by such mechanisms is a widespread process throughout the solar system and beyond.