One- versus two-shock heliosphere: Constraining models with Goddard high resolution spectrograph Ly alpha spectra toward alpha Centauri

K G Gayley; G P Zank; H L Pauls; P C Frisch; D E Welty

doi:10.1086/304600

Back

One- versus two-shock heliosphere: Constraining models with Goddard high resolution spectrograph Ly alpha spectra toward alpha Centauri

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

One- versus two-shock heliosphere: Constraining models with Goddard high resolution spectrograph Ly alpha spectra toward alpha Centauri

K G Gayley, G P Zank, H L Pauls, P C Frisch and D E Welty

The Astrophysical journal, Vol.487(1), pp.259-270

09/20/1997

DOI: 10.1086/304600

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1086/304600View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Redshifted Ly alpha absorption toward alpha Cen has been interpreted by Linsky & Wood and Frisch et al. as evidence for decelerated interstellar hydrogen piled up on the upstream side of the heliosphere. We utilize newly developed two-dimensional multifluid models of the solar wind interaction with the interstellar material to corroborate this interpretation by synthesizing the Ly alpha absorption profile predicted for this ''hydrogen wall.'' Both subsonic and supersonic inflow into the heliosphere are considered, corresponding to one-shock and two-shock global morphologies, respectively. We find that these two extremes give observably different redward absorption characteristics in the Ly alpha profiles, and our preliminary conclusion is that the Ly alpha profiles seen toward alpha Cen favor a barely subsonic model (Mach number 0.9). For such a model to hold, additional interstellar pressure terms, such as cosmic-ray or magnetic pressures, must contribute. To make this conclusion more certain, an extended-model parameter survey is required, coupled with Ly alpha data along other lines of sight.

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: One- versus two-shock heliosphere: Constraining models with Goddard high resolution spectrograph Ly alpha spectra toward alpha Centauri
Creators: K G Gayley - University of Delaware
G P Zank - University of Delaware
H L Pauls - University of Delaware
P C Frisch - University of Chicago
D E Welty - University of Chicago
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Astrophysical journal, Vol.487(1), pp.259-270
Publisher: Iop Publishing Ltd
DOI: 10.1086/304600
ISSN: 0004-637X
eISSN: 1538-4357
Number of pages: 12
Language: English
Date published: 09/20/1997
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984429015702771

Metrics

1 Record Views

73 Times Cited - Web of Science