Kelvin–Helmholtz Instabilities (IMAGE) NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Caption When the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is oriented westward (dawnward) or eastward (duskward), magnetopause boundary layers at higher latitude become most subject to Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities -- shown here in an artist’s representation as giant swirls. Credit Credit: AOES Medialab Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.