Journal article
Relating Streamer Flows to Density and Magnetic Structures at the Parker Solar Probe
The Astrophysical journal. Supplement series, Vol.246(2), p.37
02/01/2020
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4365/ab579a
Abstract
The physical mechanisms that produce the slow solar wind are still highly debated. Parker Solar Probe's (PSP's) second solar encounter provided a new opportunity to relate in situ measurements of the nascent slow solar wind with white-light images of streamer flows. We exploit data taken by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO), and the Wide Imager on Solar Probe to reveal for the first time a close link between imaged streamer flows and the high-density plasma measured by the Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP) experiment. We identify different types of slow winds measured by PSP that we relate to the spacecraft's magnetic connectivity (or not) to streamer flows. SWEAP measured high-density and highly variable plasma when PSP was well connected to streamers but more tenuous wind with much weaker density variations when it exited streamer flows. STEREO imaging of the release and propagation of small transients from the Sun to PSP reveals that the spacecraft was continually impacted by the southern edge of streamer transients. The impact of specific density structures is marked by a higher occurrence of magnetic field reversals measured by the FIELDS magnetometers. Magnetic reversals are associated with much stronger density variations inside than outside streamer flows. We tentatively interpret these findings in terms of magnetic reconnection between open magnetic fields and coronal loops with different properties, providing support for the formation of a subset of the slow wind by magnetic reconnection.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Relating Streamer Flows to Density and Magnetic Structures at the Parker Solar Probe
- Creators
- Alexis Rouillard - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieAthanasios Kouloumvakos - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieAngelos Vourlidas - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory [Laurel, MD]Justin Kasper - University of Michigan [Ann Arbor]Stuart Bale - Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley]Nour-Edine RaouafiBenoit Lavraud - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieRussell HowardGuillermo StenborgMichael Stevens - Naval Research LaboratoryNicolas Poirier - Travaux et Recherches Archéologiques sur les Cultures, les Espaces et les SociétésJackie DaviesPhillip HessAleida HigginsonMichael LavarraNicholeen ViallKelly Korreck - Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryRui Pinto - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieLéa Griton - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieVictor Réville - Département d'Astrophysique (ex SAP)Philippe Louarn - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieYihong Wu - National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition [Beijing]Kévin Dalmasse - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieVincent Génot - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologieAnthony CasePhyllis Whittlesey - University of California [Berkeley]Davin Larson - Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley]Jasper Halekas - Department of Physics and Astronomy [Iowa City]Roberto Livi - Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley]Keith GoetzPeter Harvey - The Crouch Oak Family PracticeRobert Macdowall - Goddard Space Flight CenterD. MalaspinaM. PulupaJ. Bonnell - Space Sciences Laboratory [Berkeley]Thierry Dudok de Wit - Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'EspaceEmmanuel Penou - Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Astrophysical journal. Supplement series, Vol.246(2), p.37
- DOI
- 10.3847/1538-4365/ab579a
- ISSN
- 0067-0049
- eISSN
- 1538-4365
- Publisher
- American Astronomical Society
- Grant note
- name: ERC, award: DLV- 494 819189
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2020
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984428679302771
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