Journal article
Characteristic Scales of Magnetic Switchback Patches Near the Sun and Their Possible Association With Solar Supergranulation and Granulation
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.919(2), p.96
10/01/2021
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ac1112
Abstract
Parker Solar Probe (PSP) data recorded within a heliocentric radial distance of 0.3 au have revealed a magnetic field dominated by Alfvenic structures that undergo large local variations or even reversals of the radial magnetic field. They are called magnetic switchbacks, they are consistent with folds in magnetic field lines within a same magnetic sector and are associated with velocity spikes during an otherwise calmer background. They are thought to originate either in the low solar atmosphere through magnetic reconnection processes or result from the evolution of turbulence or velocity shears in the expanding solar wind. In this work, we investigate the temporal and spatial characteristic scales of magnetic switchback patches. We define switchbacks as a deviation from the nominal Parker spiral direction and detect them automatically for PSP encounters 1, 2, 4, and 5. We focus in particular on a 5.1 day interval dominated by switchbacks during E5. We perform a wavelet transform of the solid angle between the magnetic field and the Parker spiral and find periodic spatial modulations with two distinct wavelengths, respectively consistent with solar granulation and supergranulation scales. In addition we find that switchback occurrence and spectral properties seem to depend on the source region of the solar wind rather than on the radial distance of PSP. These results suggest that switchbacks are formed in the low corona and modulated by the solar surface convection pattern.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Characteristic Scales of Magnetic Switchback Patches Near the Sun and Their Possible Association With Solar Supergranulation and Granulation
- Creators
- Nais Fargette - Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieBenoit Lavraud - Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieAlexis P. Rouillard - Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieVictor Reville - Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieThierry Dudok de Wit - Université d'OrléansClara Froment - Université d'OrléansJasper S. Halekas - University of IowaTai D. Phan - University of California, BerkeleyDavid M. Malaspina - University of Colorado BoulderStuart D. Bale - University of California, BerkeleyJustin C. Kasper - University of MichiganPhilippe Louarn - Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieAnthony W. Case - Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryKelly E. Korreck - Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryDavin E. Larson - University of California, BerkeleyMarc Pulupa - University of California, BerkeleyMichael L. Stevens - Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryPhyllis L. Whittlesey - University of California, BerkeleyMatthieu Berthomier - Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Astrophysical journal, Vol.919(2), p.96
- DOI
- 10.3847/1538-4357/ac1112
- ISSN
- 0004-637X
- eISSN
- 1538-4357
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing Ltd
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- LWS UPS CNRS; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) CNES; Centre National D'etudes Spatiales NNN06AA01C / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984428774402771
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