The Structure and Origin of Switchbacks: Parker Solar Probe Observations

Jia Huang; J. C Kasper; L. A Fisk; Davin E Larson; Michael D McManus; C. H. K Chen; Mihailo M Martinović; K. G Klein; Luke Thomas; Mingzhe Liu; Bennett A Maruca; Lingling Zhao; Yu Chen; Qiang Hu; Lan K Jian; J. L Verniero; Marco Velli; Roberto Livi; P Whittlesey; Ali Rahmati; Orlando Romeo; Tatiana Niembro; Kristoff Paulson; M Stevens; A. W Case; Marc Pulupa; Stuart D Bale; J. S Halekas

doi:10.3847/1538-4357/acd17e

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The Structure and Origin of Switchbacks: Parker Solar Probe Observations

Jia Huang, J. C Kasper, L. A Fisk, Davin E Larson, Michael D McManus, C. H. K Chen, Mihailo M Martinović, K. G Klein, Luke Thomas, Mingzhe Liu, …

The Astrophysical journal, Vol.952(1), 33

07/20/2023

DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acd17e

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Abstract

Switchbacks are rapid magnetic field reversals that last from seconds to hours. Current Parker Solar Probe (PSP) observations pose many open questions in regard to the nature of switchbacks. For example, are they stable as they propagate through the inner heliosphere, and how are they formed? In this work, we aim to investigate the structure and origin of switchbacks. In order to study the stability of switchbacks, we suppose the small-scale current sheets therein are generated by magnetic braiding, and they should work to stabilize the switchbacks. With more than 1000 switchbacks identified with PSP observations in seven encounters, we find many more current sheets inside than outside switchbacks, indicating that these microstructures should work to stabilize the S-shape structures of switchbacks. Additionally, we study the helium variations to trace the switchbacks to their origins. We find both helium-rich and helium-poor populations in switchbacks, implying that the switchbacks could originate from both closed and open magnetic field regions in the Sun. Moreover, we observe that the alpha-proton differential speeds also show complex variations as compared to the local Alfvén speed. The joint distributions of both parameters show that low helium abundance together with low differential speed is the dominant state in switchbacks. The presence of small-scale current sheets in switchbacks along with the helium features are in line with the hypothesis that switchbacks could originate from the Sun via interchange reconnection process. However, other formation mechanisms are not excluded. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Open access journal This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Space and Planetary Science

Details

Title: Subtitle: The Structure and Origin of Switchbacks: Parker Solar Probe Observations
Creators: Jia Huang
J. C Kasper
L. A Fisk
Davin E Larson
Michael D McManus
C. H. K Chen
Mihailo M Martinović
K. G Klein
Luke Thomas
Mingzhe Liu
Bennett A Maruca
Lingling Zhao
Yu Chen
Qiang Hu
Lan K Jian
J. L Verniero
Marco Velli
Roberto Livi
P Whittlesey
Ali Rahmati
Orlando Romeo
Tatiana Niembro
Kristoff Paulson
M Stevens
A. W Case
Marc Pulupa
Stuart D Bale
J. S Halekas
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Astrophysical journal, Vol.952(1), 33
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acd17e
ISSN: 1538-4357
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000104, name: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, award: 80NSSC23K0737
Language: English
Date published: 07/20/2023
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984533286302771

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