Mixed Source Region Signatures Inside Magnetic Switchback Patches Inferred by Heavy Ion Diagnostics

Yeimy J Rivera; Samuel T Badman; Michael L Stevens; Jim M Raines; Christopher J Owen; Kristoff Paulson; Tatiana Niembro; Stefano A Livi; Susan T Lepri; Enrico Landi; Jasper S Halekas; Tamar Ervin; Ryan M Dewey; Jesse T Coburn; Stuart D Bale; B. L Alterman

doi:10.48550/arxiv.2409.03645

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Mixed Source Region Signatures Inside Magnetic Switchback Patches Inferred by Heavy Ion Diagnostics

Yeimy J Rivera, Samuel T Badman, Michael L Stevens, Jim M Raines, Christopher J Owen, Kristoff Paulson, Tatiana Niembro, Stefano A Livi, Susan T Lepri, Enrico Landi, …

arXiv.org

Cornell University

09/05/2024

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2409.03645

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Preprint (Author's original)This preprint has not been evaluated by subject experts through peer review. Preprints may undergo extensive changes and/or become peer-reviewed journal articles. Open Access

Abstract

Since Parker Solar Probe's (Parker's) first perihelion pass at the Sun, large amplitude Alfvén waves grouped in patches have been observed near the Sun throughout the mission. Several formation processes for these magnetic switchback patches have been suggested with no definitive consensus. To provide insight to their formation, we examine the heavy ion properties of several adjacent magnetic switchback patches around Parker's 11th perihelion pass capitalizing on a spacecraft lineup with Solar Orbiter where each samples the same solar wind streams over a large range of longitudes. Heavy ion properties (Fe/O, C6+/C5+, O7+/O6+) related to the wind's coronal origin, measured with Solar Orbiter can be linked to switchback patch structures identified near the Sun with Parker. We find that switchback patches do not contain distinctive ion and elemental compositional signatures different than the surrounding non-switchback solar wind. Both the patches and ambient wind exhibit a range of fast and slow wind qualities, indicating coronal sources with open and closed field lines in close proximity. These observations and modeling indicate switchback patches form in coronal hole boundary wind and with a range of source region magnetic and thermal properties. Furthermore, the heavy ion signatures suggest interchange reconnection and/or shear driven processes may play a role in their creation.

Physics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Physics - Space Physics

Details

Title: Subtitle: Mixed Source Region Signatures Inside Magnetic Switchback Patches Inferred by Heavy Ion Diagnostics
Creators: Yeimy J Rivera
Samuel T Badman
Michael L Stevens
Jim M Raines
Christopher J Owen
Kristoff Paulson
Tatiana Niembro
Stefano A Livi
Susan T Lepri
Enrico Landi
Jasper S Halekas
Tamar Ervin
Ryan M Dewey
Jesse T Coburn
Stuart D Bale
B. L Alterman
Resource Type: Preprint
Publication Details: arXiv.org
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2409.03645
eISSN: 2331-8422
Publisher: Cornell University; Ithaca, New York
Language: English
Date posted: 09/05/2024
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984701558902771

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