scholarly journals Suprathermal electron flux peaks at stream interfaces: Signature of solar wind dynamics or tracer for open magnetic flux transport on the Sun?

2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (A11) ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
N. U. Crooker ◽  
E. M. Appleton ◽  
N. A. Schwadron ◽  
M. J. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Electron Flux ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Flux Transport ◽  
Suprathermal Electron ◽  
Open Magnetic Flux

scholarly journals Parker Solar Probe observations of suprathermal electron flux enhancements originating from Coronal Hole boundaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (4) ◽  
pp. 5273-5283
Author(s):  
Allan R Macneil ◽  
Mathew J Owens ◽  
Laura Berčič ◽  
Adam J Finley
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Electron Flux ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Preliminary Test ◽  
Flux Transport ◽  
Plasma Properties ◽  
Global Pattern ◽  
Suprathermal Electron ◽  
Solar Origin

ABSTRACT Reconnection between pairs of solar magnetic flux elements, one open and the other a closed loop, is theorized to be a crucial process for both maintaining the structure of the corona and producing the solar wind. This ‘interchange reconnection’ is expected to be particularly active at the open-closed boundaries of coronal holes (CHs). Previous analysis of solar wind data at 1 au indicated that peaks in the flux of suprathermal electrons at slow–fast stream interfaces may arise from magnetic connection to the CH boundary, rather than dynamic effects such as compression. Further, offsets between the peak and stream interface locations are suggested to be the result of interchange reconnection at the source. As a preliminary test of these suggestions, we analyse two solar wind streams observed during the first Parker Solar Probe (PSP) perihelion encounter, each associated with equatorial CH boundaries (one leading and one trailing with respect to rotation). Each stream features a peak in suprathermal electron flux, the locations and associated plasma properties of which are indicative of a solar origin, in agreement with previous suggestions from 1 au observations. Discrepancies between locations of the flux peaks and other features suggest that these peaks may too be shifted by source region interchange reconnection. Our interpretation of each event is compatible with a global pattern of open flux transport, although random footpoint motions or other explanations remain feasible. These exploratory results highlight future opportunities for statistical studies regarding interchange reconnection and flux transport at CH boundaries with modern near-Sun missions.

scholarly journals Tests for coronal electron temperature signatures in suprathermal electron populations at 1 AU

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1275-1291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan R. Macneil ◽  
Christopher J. Owen ◽  
Robert T. Wicks
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Particle Interactions ◽  
Core Electron ◽  
Suprathermal Electron ◽  
Electron Distributions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Coronal Electron

Abstract. The development of knowledge of how the coronal origin of the solar wind affects its in situ properties is one of the keys to understanding the relationship between the Sun and the heliosphere. In this paper, we analyse ACE/SWICS and WIND/3DP data spanning  > 12 years, and test properties of solar wind suprathermal electron distributions for the presence of signatures of the coronal temperature at their origin which may remain at 1 AU. In particular we re-examine a previous suggestion that these properties correlate with the oxygen charge state ratio O7+ ∕ O6+, an established proxy for coronal electron temperature. We find only a very weak but variable correlation between measures of suprathermal electron energy content and O7+ ∕ O6+. The weak nature of the correlation leads us to conclude, in contrast to earlier results, that an initial relationship with core electron temperature has the possibility to exist in the corona, but that in most cases no strong signatures remain in the suprathermal electron distributions at 1 AU. It cannot yet be confirmed whether this is due to the effects of coronal conditions on the establishment of this relationship or due to the altering of the electron distributions by processing during transport in the solar wind en route to 1 AU. Contrasting results for the halo and strahl population favours the latter interpretation. Confirmation of this will be possible using Solar Orbiter data (cruise and nominal mission phase) to test whether the weakness of the relationship persists over a range of heliocentric distances. If the correlation is found to strengthen when closer to the Sun, then this would indicate an initial relationship which is being degraded, perhaps by wave–particle interactions, en route to the observer.

Magnetic Flux Transport on the Sun

Science ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 245 (4919) ◽  
pp. 712-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. -M. WANG ◽  
A. G. NASH ◽  
N. R. SHEELEY
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Flux Transport

scholarly journals A Quantitative Study of Magnetic Flux Transport on the Sun

1983 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 273-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.R. Sheeley ◽  
J.P. Boris ◽  
T.R. Young ◽  
C.R. DeVore ◽  
K.L. Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Meridional Circulation ◽  
Diffusion Constant ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Flux Transport ◽  
Field Reversal ◽  
Best Fit

A computational model, based on diffusion, differential rotation, and meridional circulation, has been developed to simulate the transport of magnetic flux on the Sun. Using Kitt Peak magnetograms as input, we have determined a best-fit diffusion constant by comparing the computed and observed fields at later times. Our value of 730 ± 250 km2/s is consistent with Leighton's (1964) estimate of 770–1540 km2/s and is significantly larger than Mosher's (1977) estimate of 200–400 km2/s. This suggests that diffusion may be fast enough to account for the observed polar magnetic field reversal without requiring a significant assist from meridional currents.

scholarly journals Solar wind elemental abundances related to the Sun's open magnetic flux

2009 ◽  
Vol 505 (3) ◽  
pp. 1237-1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Wang ◽  
B. Klecker ◽  
P. Wurz
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Elemental Abundances ◽  
Open Magnetic Flux

A Quantitative Study of Magnetic Flux Transport on the Sun

1983 ◽  
pp. 273-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Sheeley ◽  
J. P. Boris ◽  
T. R. Young ◽  
C. R. DeVore ◽  
K. L. Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Flux Transport

Understanding Solar Wind Formation by Identifying the Origins of In Situ Observations 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Wallace ◽  
Nicholeen M. Viall ◽  
Charles N. Arge
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Wind Speed ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Heliospheric Current Sheet ◽  
Slow Solar Wind ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Flux Transport ◽  
Model Driven ◽  
In Situ Observations

<p>Solar wind formation can be separated into three physical steps – source, release, and acceleration – that each leave distinct observational signatures on plasma parcels.  The Wang-Sheeley-Arge (WSA) model driven by Air Force Data Assimilative Photospheric Flux Transport (ADAPT) time-dependent photospheric field maps now has the ability to connect in situ observations more rigorously to their precise source at the Sun, allowing us to investigate the physical processes involved in solar wind formation.   In this talk, I will highlight my PhD dissertation research in which we use the ADAPT-WSA model to either characterize the solar wind emerging from specific sources, or investigate the formation process of various solar wind populations.  In the first study, we test the well-known inverse relationship between expansion factor (f<sub>s</sub>) and observed solar wind speed (v<sub>obs</sub>) for solar wind that emerges from a large sampling of pseudostreamers, to investigate if field line expansion plays a physical role in accelerating the solar wind from this source region.  We find that there is no correlation between f<sub>s</sub> and v<sub>obs</sub> at pseudostreamer cusps. In the second study, we determine the source locations of the first identified quasiperiodic density structures (PDSs) inside 0.6 au. Our modeling provides confirmation of these events forming via magnetic reconnection both near to and far from the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) – a direct test of the Separatrix-web (S-web) theory of slow solar wind formation.  In the final study, we use our methodology to identify the source regions of the first observations from the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) mission.  Our modeling enabled us to characterize the closest to the Sun observed coronal mass ejection (CME) to date as a streamer blowout.  We close with future ways that ADAPT-WSA can be used to test outstanding questions of solar wind formation.</p>

The magnetic flux transport along the -Esw direction in the magnetotails on Mars and Venus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihui Chai ◽  
James Slavin ◽  
Yong Wei ◽  
Weixing Wan ◽  
Charlie F. Bowers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Magnetic Pressure ◽  
Mass Loading ◽  
Flux Transport ◽  
Loading Effect

<p>The induced magnetotails on Mars and Venus are considered to arise through the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) draping around the planet and the solar wind deceleration due to the mass loading effect. They have very similar structures as that on Earth, two magnetic lobes of opposite radial magnetic fields and a plasma sheet in between. However, the orientation and geometry of the induced magnetotails are controlled by the IMF, not the planetary intrinsic magnetic field. In this study, we present another characteristic of the induced magnetotails on Mars and Venus with the observations of MAVEN and Venus Express. It is found that the magnetic flux in the induced magnetotails on Mars and Venus are inhomogeneous. There is more magnetic flux in the +E hemisphere than -E hemisphere. The magnetic flux is observed to transport gradually from the +E hemisphere to the -E hemisphere along the magnetotail. The magnetotail magnetic flux transport seems to be faster on Mars than that at Venus. Based on these observations, we suggest that the finite gyro-radius effect of the planetary ions that are picked up by the solar wind is responsible to the magnetic flux inhomogeneity and transport in the induced magnetotails. The role of the magnetic pressure gradient in the magnetotail will be discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Suprathermal electron acceleration during reconnection onset in the magnetotail

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1917-1925 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Vaivads ◽  
A. Retinò ◽  
Yu. V. Khotyaintsev ◽  
M. André
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Plasma Sheet ◽  
Electron Acceleration ◽  
Flux Transport ◽  
Energetic Electrons ◽  
Flux Tubes ◽  
Suprathermal Electron ◽  
Suprathermal Electrons ◽  
Pile Up

Abstract. We study one event of reconnection onset associated to a small substorm on 27 September 2006 by using Cluster observations at inter-spacecraft separation of about 10 000 km. We focus on the acceleration of suprathermal electrons during different stages of reconnection. We show that several distinct stages of acceleration occur: (1) moderate acceleration during reconnection of pre-existing plasma sheet flux tubes, (2) stronger acceleration during reconnection of lobe flux tubes, (3) production of the most energetic electrons within dipolarization fronts (magnetic pile-up regions). The strongest acceleration is reached at the location of Bz maxima inside the magnetic pile-up region where the reconnection jet stops. Very strong localized dawn-dusk electric field are observed within the magnetic pile-up regions and are associated to most of the magnetic flux transport.

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