Configuration of Magnetotail Current Sheet Prior to Magnetic Reconnection Onset

The magnetotail current sheet configuration determines magnetic reconnection properties that control the substorm onset, one of most energetic phenomena in Earth’s magnetosphere. quiet-time is often approximated as a two-dimensional (2D) field balanced by isotropic plasma pressure gradients. However, onset preceded thinning and formation nearly one-dimensional (1D) configuration. In this study, using particle-in-cell simulations, we investigate force balance such thin sheets when they are driven inflow. We demonstrate transitions from 2D to 1D thanks nongyrotropy reveal its origin nongyrotropic terms ion distributions. show may be controlled instability dynamics sheets, having much different commonly investigated