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Register a new userIn situ measurements of the variable slow solar wind near sector boundaries
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E. Sanchez-Diaz
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The release of density structures at the tip of the coronal helmet streamers, likely as a consequence of magnetic reconnection, contributes to the mass flux of the slow solar wind. In situ measurements in the vicinity of the heliospheric plasma sheet of the magnetic field, protons and suprathermal electrons reveal details of the processes at play during the formation of density structures near the Sun. In a previous article, we exploited remote-sensing observations to derive a 3-D picture of the dynamic evolution of a streamer. We found evidence of the recurrent and continual release of dense blobs from the tip of the streamers. In the present paper, we interpret in situ measurements of the slow solar wind during solar maximum. Through both case and statistical analysis, we show that in situ signatures (magnetic field magnitude, smoothness and rotation, proton density and suprathermal electrons, in the first place) are consistent with the helmet streamers producing, in alternation, high-density regions (mostly disconnected) separated by magnetic flux ropes (mostly connected to the Sun). This sequence of emission of dense blobs and flux ropes also seems repeated at smaller scales inside each of the high-density regions. These properties are further confirmed with in situ measurements much closer to the Sun using Helios observations. We conclude on a model for the formation of dense blobs and flux ropes that explains both the in situ measurements and the remote-sensing observations presented in our previous studies.
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Over 54 years of hourly mean value of solar wind velocity from 27 Nov. 1963 to 31 Dec. 2017 are used to investigate characteristics of the rotation period of solar wind through auto-correlation analysis. Solar wind of high velocity is found to rotate faster than low-velocity wind, while its rotation rate increases with velocity increasing, but in contrast for solar wind of low velocity, its rotation rate decreases with velocity increasing. Our analysis shows that solar wind of a higher velocity statistically possesses a faster rotation rate for the entire solar wind. The yearly rotation rate of solar wind velocity does not follow the Schwable cycle, but it is significantly negatively correlated to yearly sunspot number when it leads by 3 years. Physical explanations are proposed to these findings.
In contrast with the fast solar wind, that originates in coronal holes, the source of the slow solar wind is still debated. Often intermittent and enriched with low FIP elements -- akin to what is observed in closed coronal loops -- the slow wind could form in bursty events nearby helmet streamers. Slow winds also exhibit density perturbations which have been shown to be periodic and could be associated with flux ropes ejected from the tip of helmet streamers, as shown recently by the WISPR white light imager onboard Parker Solar Probe (PSP). In this work, we propose that the main mechanism controlling the release of flux ropes is a flow-modified tearing mode at the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). We use MHD simulations of the solar wind and corona to reproduce realistic configurations and outflows surrounding the HCS. We find that this process is able to explain long ($sim 10-20$h) and short ($sim 1-2$h) timescales of density structures observed in the slow solar wind. This study also sheds new light on the structure, topology and composition of the slow solar wind, and could be, in the near future, compared with white light and in situ PSP observations.
How has the solar wind evolved to reach what it is today? In this review, I discuss the long-term evolution of the solar wind, including the evolution of observed properties that are intimately linked to the solar wind: rotation, magnetism and activity. Given that we cannot access data from the solar wind 4 billion years ago, this review relies on stellar data, in an effort to better place the Sun and the solar wind in a stellar context. I overview some clever detection methods of winds of solar-like stars, and derive from these an observed evolutionary sequence of solar wind mass-loss rates. I then link these observational properties (including, rotation, magnetism and activity) with stellar wind models. I conclude this review then by discussing implications of the evolution of the solar wind on the evolving Earth and other solar system planets. I argue that studying exoplanetary systems could open up new avenues for progress to be made in our understanding of the evolution of the solar wind.
Context. The Suns complex corona is the source of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field. While the large scale morphology is well understood, the impact of variations in coronal properties on the scale of a few degrees on properties of the interplanetary medium is not known. Solar Orbiter, carrying both remote sensing and in situ instruments into the inner solar system, is intended to make these connections better than ever before. Aims. We combine remote sensing and in situ measurements from Solar Orbiters first perihelion at 0.5 AU to study the fine scale structure of the solar wind from the equatorward edge of a polar coronal hole with the aim of identifying characteristics of the corona which can explain the in situ variations. Methods. We use in situ measurements of the magnetic field, density and solar wind speed to identify structures on scales of hours at the spacecraft. Using Potential Field Source Surface mapping we estimate the source locations of the measured solar wind as a function of time and use EUI images to characterise these solar sources. Results. We identify small scale stream interactions in the solar wind with compressed magnetic field and density along with speed variations which are associated with corrugations in the edge of the coronal hole on scales of several degrees, demonstrating that fine scale coronal structure can directly influence solar wind properties and drive variations within individual streams. Conclusions. This early analysis already demonstrates the power of Solar Orbiters combined remote sensing and in situ payload and shows that with future, closer perihelia it will be possible dramatically to improve our knowledge of the coronal sources of fine scale solar wind structure, which is important both for understanding the phenomena driving the solar wind and predicting its impacts at the Earth and elsewhere.
One of the discoveries made by Parker Solar Probe during first encounters with the Sun is the ubiquitous presence of relatively small-scale structures standing out as sudden deflections of the magnetic field. They were called switchbacks as some of them show up the full reversal of the radial component of the magnetic field and then return to regular conditions. Analyzing the magnetic field and plasma perturbations associated with switchbacks we identify three types of structures with slightly different characteristics: 1. Alfvenic structures, where the variations of the magnetic field components take place while the magnitude of the field remains constant; 2. Compressional, the field magnitude varies together with changes of the components; 3. Structures manifesting full reversal of the magnetic field (extremal class of Alfvenic structures). Processing of structures boundaries and plasma bulk velocity perturbations lead to the conclusion that they represent localized magnetic field tubes with enhanced parallel plasma velocity and ion beta moving together with respect to surrounding plasma. The magnetic field deflections before and after the switchbacks reveal the existence of total axial current. The electric currents are concentrated on the relatively narrow boundary layers on the surface of the tubes and determine the magnetic field perturbations inside the tube. These currents are closed on the structure surface, and typically have comparable azimuthal and the axial components. The surface of the structure may also accommodate an electromagnetic wave, that assists to particles in carrying currents. We suggest that the two types of structures we analyzed here may represent the local manifestations of the tube deformations corresponding to a saturated stage of the Firehose instability development.
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