资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

In the outer heliosphere, higher upstream Alfvénic Mach number (M_A) values have been theorized to limit the solar wind forcing at all giant planet magnetospheres. To determine the true impact of M_A on the ability for magnetopause reconnection to occur, we perform a comprehensive analysis using data collected throughout the heliosphere. We find that solar cycle variations in solar wind magnetic pressure lead to wide ranges of upstream M_A in the outer heliosphere, where M_A at solar maximum appears Earth‐like. These considerable M_A variations combined with the significant magnetic dipole tilts at Uranus and Neptune suggest that magnetopause reconnection may yet play an important role at the Ice Giants, in particular at solar maximum.