Possible role of electrostatic potential in formation of sharp boundaries of small-scale and middle-scale solar wind structures

Sharp boundaries of small-scale and middle-scale structures of the solar wind are an essential part of a turbulized solar wind. Such boundaries are observed near the Earth’s orbit as sharp and large-amplitude changes of parameters (in particular, ion density) of the solar wind. In this paper, the observed phenomena are briefly described, and an account of their basic properties and specific features is given. Using the kinetic approach, a possible theoretical mechanism is suggested in order to explain some peculiarities in the formation of these structures.     

Intermittency of solar wind density fluctuations and its relation to sharp density changes

The paper presents the study of turbulent properties of the solar wind plasma, namely, the intermittency of fluctuations of the solar wind ion flux in the earlier unexplored region of comparatively high frequencies (0.01–1 Hz). Special attention is given to a comparison of intermittency for solar wind observation intervals containing sharp (shorter than 10 min) and high-amplitude (greater than 20%) changes of the ion flux to intervals without such changes. The solar wind observation intervals containing sharp changes of the flux are found to be essentially more intermittent than the intervals of quiet solar wind. Such a comparison allows one to reveal the fundamental difference in turbulent properties of the solar wind depending on the presence or absence of sharp boundaries in plasma structures.     

Sharp Boundaries of Solar Wind Plasma Structures and an Analysis of Their Pressure Balance

This work is devoted to studying the sharp boundaries of small-scale structures of the solar wind according to the data of measurements with high time resolution onboard the INTERBALL-1 satellite and simultaneous measurements of the WIND spacecraft. Such issues as the character of change of various plasma and magnetic field parameters on these boundaries, the duration of boundary passage and the balance of the total (thermal plus magnetic) pressure on the boundaries of the structures are considered. On the basis of the vast statistical material available, the typical conditions in the solar wind are investigated, in which such sharp boundaries are observed.__________Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 43, No. 3, 2005, pp. 163–170.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Riazantseva, Khabarova, Zastenker, Richardson.     

Large and sharp changes of solar wind dynamic pressure and disturbances of the magnetospheric magnetic field at geosynchronous orbit caused by these variations

The large and sharp changes of solar wind dynamic pressure, found from the INTERBALL-1 satellite and WIND spacecraft data, are compared with simultaneous magnetic field disturbances in the magnetosphere measured by geosynchronous GOES-8, GOES-9, and GOES-10 satellites. For this purpose, about 200 events in the solar wind, associated with sharp changes of the dynamic pressure, were selected from the INTERBALL-1 satellite data obtained during 1996–1999. The large and sharp changes of the solar wind dynamic pressure were shown to result in rapid variations of the magnetic field strength in the outer magnetosphere, the increase (drop) of the solar wind dynamic pressure always lead to an increase (drop) of the geosynchronous magnetic field magnitude. The value of the geomagnetic field variation strongly depends on the local time of the observation point, reaching a maximum value near the noon meridian. It is shown that the direction of the B _z component of the interplanetary magnetic field has virtually no effect on the geomagnetic field variation because of a sharp jump of pressure. The time shift between an event in the solar wind and its response in the magnetosphere at a geosynchronous orbit essentially depends on the inclination of the front of a solar wind disturbance to the Sun-Earth line.     

Properties of Sharp and Large Changes in the Solar Wind Ion Flux (Density)

The results of a detailed study of large (by 20% and more) and sharp (faster than ten minutes) changes of the ion flux in the solar wind are presented. The data are provided by regular measurements onboard the INTERBALL-1 satellite in the period 1996–1999. Using statistical analysis, we obtained the distribution of these changes in their absolute and relative strength. It is shown that, for a considerable proportion of the events, such sharp and large changes of the ion flux (density) take place under conditions of fairly constant values of the solar wind velocity and of both the magnitude and components of the interplanetary magnetic field.     

The Earth's Magnetosphere Response to Solar Wind Events according to the INTERBALL Project Data

The results of studying the interaction of two types of the solar wind (magnetic clouds and solar wind of extremely low density) with the Earth's magnetosphere are discussed. This study is based of the INTERBALL space project measurements and on the other ground-based and space observations. For moderate variations of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters, the response of the magnetosphere is similar to its response to similar changes in the absence of magnetic clouds and depends on a previous history of IMF variations. Extremely large density variations on the interplanetary shocks, and on leading and trailing edges of the clouds result in a strong deformation of the magnetosphere, in large-scale motion of the geomagnetic tail, and in the development of magnetic substorms and storms. The important consequences of these processes are: (1) the observation of regions of the magnetosphere and its boundaries at great distances from the average location; (2) density and temperature variations in the outer regions of the magnetosphere; (3) multiple crossings of geomagnetic tail boundaries by a satellite; and (4) bursty fluxes of electrons and ions in the magnetotail, auroral region, and the polar cap. Several polar activations and substorms can develop during a single magnetic cloud arrival; a greater number of these events are accompanied, as a rule, by the development of a stronger magnetic storm. A gradual, but very strong, decrease of the solar wind density on May 10–12, 1999, did not cause noticeable change of geomagnetic indices, though it resulted in considerable expansion of the magnetosphere.     

MHD Simulations of the Dynamics of Sharp Disturbances of the Interplanetary Medium and Comparison with Spacecraft Observations

One-dimensional MHD simulations of solitary sharp and strong disturbances (impulses) of the interplanetary magnetic field and plasma of the homogeneous solar wind were performed. The characteristics of a disturbance of this type, recorded onboard the WIND spacecraft (SC) rather far from the Earth, were taken as initial conditions. The results of numerical experiments simulating the evolution of this disturbance in the moving interplanetary plasma, whose parameters correspond to observations of the WIND and INTERBALL-1 SC, show the efficiency of the computer code developed with the special purpose of investigating low-frequency wave events in the space environment. The calculated characteristics of the impulse resulting from the evolution are in good agreement with parameters of the disturbance recorded by the INTERBALL-1 SC closer to the Earth. In particular, the impulse expands due to imbalance of thermal and magnetic pressures, but keeps its abrupt boundaries. It was demonstrated that stable plasma objects, corresponding to stationary MHD solutions, could really exist in the solar wind plasma for a long time.     

Effect of large and sharp changes of solar wind dynamic pressure on the earths’s magnetosphere: analysis of several events

The magnetosphere and ionosphere response to arrival of large changes of the solar wind dynamic pressure with sharp fronts to the Earth is considered. It is shown that, under an effect of an impulse of solar wind pressure, the magnetic field at a geosynchronous orbit changes: it grows with increasing solar wind pressure and decreases, when the solar wind pressure drops. Energetic particle fluxes also change: on the dayside of the magnetosphere the fluxes grow with arrival of an impulse of solar wind dynamic pressure, and on the nightside the response of energetic particle fluxes depends on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) direction. Under the condition of negative Bz-component of the IMF on the nightside of the magnetosphere, injections of energetic electron fluxes can be observed. It is shown, that large and fast increase of solar wind pressure, accompanied by a weakly negative Bz-component of the IMF, can result in particless’ precipitation on the dayside of the auroral oval, and in the development of a pseudobreakup or substorm on the nightside of the oval. The auroral oval dynamics shows that after passage of an impulse of solar wind dynamic pressure the auroral activity weakens. In other words, the impulse of solar wind pressure in the presence of weakly negative IMF can not only cause the pseudobreakup/substorm development, but control this development as well.     

Magnetospheric signatures of auroral disturbances during the passage of the solar wind’s CIR and sheath regions

Based on Polar satellite data, the authors have studied the auroral disturbances that arose during the passage by the Earth of compressed plasma regions formed in front of high-speed solar wind streams (the CIR region) and in front of magnetic clouds (the Sheath region). The aurorae observed by the Polar satellite possessed basic signatures of a substorm: a localized onset and expansion toward the pole and westward and eastward. However, in these cases they had a very large size in longitude and latitude and occupied a very large area. All disturbances observed by the Polar satellite during the Sheath and CIR regions of the solar wind in December of 1996, in 1997–1998, and in 2000 were analyzed. Eight events during disturbance development in the ionosphere, when the Geotail satellite was located in the plasma sheet of the magnetospheric tail, were selected. It is shown that in all selected cases some typical signatures of substorm development in the magnetospheric tail were observed, namely: (1) fast plasma flows (flow reversal, i.e., from tailwards to Earthwards) and (2) a sharp decrease of the total pressure, which followed an interval of total pressure increase. One can draw the conclusion that in the CIR and Sheath regions with a high solar wind density, substorm disturbances of a specific type are observed, with large latitudinal and longitudinal size (sometimes occupying the entire polar cap).     

Bursts of geomagnetic pulsations in the frequency range 0.2-5 Hz excited by large changes of the solar wind pressure

We present the results of studying the magnetospheres’s response to sharp changes of the solar wind flow (pressure) based on observations of variations of the ions flux of the solar wind onboard the Inreball-1 satellite and of geomagnetic pulsations (the data of two mid-latitude observatories and one auroral observatory are used). It is demonstrated that, when changes of flow runs into the magnetosphere, in some cases short (duration ~ < 5 min) bursts of geomagnetic pulsations are excited in the frequency range Δf~ 0.2–5 Hz. The bursts of two types are observed: noise bursts without frequency changes and wide-band ones with changing frequency during the burst. A comparison is made of various properties of these bursts generated by pressure changes at constant velocity of the solar wind and by pressure changes on the fronts of interplanetary shock waves at different directions of the vertical component of the interplanetary magnetic field.     

Solar wind inhomogeneity front inclination effect on properties of front-caused long-period geomagnetic pulsations

On the basis of data of two networks of Canadian stations and also of extra- and intra-magnetospheric satellites, daytime long-period geomagnetic pulsations related to sudden impulses of the dynamic pressure of the solar wind (SW) are studied. The influence of SW parameters, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and geomagnetic activity on the propagation direction, polarization, and amplitude of pulsations is discussed. It is shown that at arrival front of the solar wind inhomogeneity at the place of its tangency, surface oscillations within the range of Pc5 geomagnetic pulsations are excited on the magnetopause, and they run away from the tangency point to the nighttime side with increasing amplitude and opposite polarization. The pulsation properties and the position of the running-away point are explained by the mechanism of their excitation on the magnetopause by the inclined front of the inhomogeneity and also by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Increases in SW density observed ahead of the shock front were able to cause pulsation excitation onsets prior to the sudden storms commencement (SSC) front arrival. The observed increase in geomagnetic activity after SSC could change the direction of pulsation propagation from anti-sunward to sunward. The analysis of oscillation spectra made it possible to assume that pulsations with a frequency of the order of 2.5 mHz are of a global character, they are not related to oscillations in SW and are excited by sharp SSC fronts.     

Features of solar wind streams on June 21–28, 2015 as a result of interactions between coronal mass ejections and recurrent streams from coronal holes

Coronal sources and parameters of solar wind streams during a strong and prolonged geomagnetic disturbance in June 2015 have been considered. Сorrespondence between coronal sources and solar wind streams at 1 AU has been determined using an analysis of solar images, catalogs of flares and coronal mass ejections, solar wind parameters including the ionic composition. The sources of disturbances in the considered period were a sequence of five coronal mass ejections that propagated along the recurrent solar wind streams from coronal holes. The observed differences from typical in magnetic and kinetic parameters of solar wind streams have been associated with the interactions of different types of solar wind. The ionic composition has proved to be a good additional marker for highlighting components in a mixture of solar wind streams, which can be associated with different coronal sources.     

Algebra and statistics of the solar wind

Statistical studies of properties of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, based on an extended database for the period 1963–2007 including four solar cycles, show that the Gaussian approximation well suites for some parameters as the probability distribution of their numerical values, while for others the lognormal law is preferred. This paper gives an interpretation of these results as associated with predominance of linear or nonlinear processes in composition and interaction of various disturbances and irregularities propagating and originating in the interior of the Sun and its atmosphere, including the solar corona and the solar wind running away from it. Summation of independent random components of disturbances leads, according to the central limit theorem of the probability theory, to the normal (Gaussian) distributions of quantities proper, while their multiplication leads to the normal distributions of logarithms. Thus, one can discuss the algebra of events and associate observed statistical distinctions with one or another process of formation of irregularities in the solar wind. Among them there are impossible events (having null probability) and reliable events (occurring with 100% probability). For better understanding of the relationship between algebra and statistics of events in the solar wind further investigations are necessary.     

Sequences of Solar Events with Identical Decays as a Tool for Isolating Quasistationary States in the Interplanetary Space

Time profile of the fluxes of energetic solar particles generated by solar flares (including their phase of decline) is formed to a large extent by the structure of the interplanetary magnetic field and its irregularities that move away from the Sun with the solar wind velocity. When propagation is a pure diffusion, the solar particle fluxes decay after the maximum in a power-law manner. At the same time in many cases this decay is exponential, which is indicative of a considerable role played by the convective sweep of particles and their adiabatic deceleration in the expanding solar wind. In this paper we consider the events with long exponential decays and newly discovered series of successive events with identical exponential decays lasting for one to two weeks or more. They allow us to assume that the interplanetary space is stable and homogeneous during this period.     

Orientation of Sharp Fronts of the Solar Wind Plasma

Based on simultaneous observations performed by several spacecraft, we evaluate the orientation of sharp (with a duration of a few minutes) and large (tens and hundreds percent of the mean value) fronts of the solar wind plasma (changes in the ion flux and ram pressure). The orientation of the fronts is determined with respect to the Sun–Earth line and to two planes in space for several tens of the largest (in amplitude) changes of the ion flux. A considerable fraction of these fronts (about 50%) has an inclination to the plane perpendicular to the Sun–Earth line that exceeds 30°.     

不同内边界条件下SEP事件实例的集合数值模拟及其在SEP事件预报中的应用

太阳高能粒子（SEP）事件的定量数值预报是空间态势感知的重要方面之一。SEP事件主要来自于日冕物质抛射（CME）所驱动的激波扩散加速（DSA）。文章在三个有关模型的基础上,结合1 AU处卫星的太阳风观测参数和日冕仪的CME观测参数,建立了一套可用于预报SEP事件的数值方法。利用该方法对一次SEP实例进行数值模拟,并将模拟结果与GOES卫星观测结果进行比较。结果表明:数值模拟得到的＞10 MeV的高能粒子的通量和观测较为吻合,＞100 MeV的高能粒子的通量高于观测值。针对此事件进一步开展了不同CME抛射速度和不同内边界背景太阳风温度条件下的集合模拟试验,结果表明:CME抛射速度对SEP事件中高能粒子通量和能谱影响较大,而内边界背景太阳风温度的改变对于高能粒子通量和能谱的影响几乎可以忽略不计。     

Structure of the earth’s magnetosheath at small fluctuations in the interplanetary magnetic field direction

Spatial structure of the magnetosheath of the Earth was studied under the conditions when no sharp (more than 40° during 5 min) changes in the interplanetary magnetic field direction were observed. On the basis of 24 flights of the Interball-1 satellite through the magnetosheath, it is found that three regions differing from each other by parameters of the field and plasma can be observed in the magnetosheath under the above-indicated conditions. These regions also differ from the solar wind region before front of the Earth’s magnetospheric bow shock. Empirical distributions of parameters were studied in each region. Taking into account the influence of the interplanetary magnetic field direction on the processes in the magnetosheath, the cases of quasi-perpendicular and quasi-parallel shock waves were considered separately. The study showed that the distribution of parameters in the selected regions (in the solar wind before front of the bow shock, in the magnetosheath behind the bow shock (post-shock), in the region of the magnetosheath with minimal fluctuations in the field, and in the inner magnetosheath) differ from each other at any interplanetary magnetic field direction.     

Remnant magnetic fields of Mars and their interaction with the solar wind

This work presents a review of studies of the Martian magnetic fields during the early Soviet missions to Mars in 1971–1974, which never approached Mars by closer than 1000 km before the experiment with the Magnetometer/Electronic Reflectometer (MAG/ER) on board the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft, which could descend to altitudes of 80–100 km. At present, the experiment with the magnetometer (MAG) onboard the American MAVEN spacecraft adds new data, but the map of distribution of remnant magnetic fields of Mars and the picture of their interaction with the solar wind are already formed and, at its core, obviously, will not be revised. Thus, it would be very instructive to consider the following in detail: (a) what is already known regarding the features and distribution of remnant magnetic fields on Mars; (b) how they control the interaction of solar wind with a weakly magnetized planet (Mars); and (c) what is its distinction from another nonmagnetized planet (Venus).     

“嫦娥一号”卫星观测近月太阳风离子特征

"嫦娥一号"卫星的太阳风离子探测器(SWIDs)的科学目标是研究太阳风与月球的相互作用以及相应的近月空间等离子体环境。文章利用"嫦娥一号"卫星SWIDs探测器在2007年12月30日的观测数据对近月太阳风等离子体环境,包括向阳侧太阳风离子、"拾起"离子以及在月球尾迹边界处的太阳风离子的特征进行分析,得到以下主要观测结果:1)在慢速太阳风中观测到双峰结构,分别为太阳风中的氢离子和二价氦离子;2)在行星际磁场具有明显昏向(+By)分量期间,在月球向阳侧持续观测到有月表散射或反射后被拾起的太阳风离子;3)与入射的太阳风离子不同,这些拾起的太阳风离子具有明显的角度分布特征;4)在行星际磁场昏向(晨向)期间,太阳风中的氢离子在月球尾迹北半球的边界处呈现减速(加速)特征并进入尾迹;而并未发现氦离子进入尾迹的特征。"嫦娥一号"卫星的这些观测数据对于认识近月空间等离子体环境有着重要的意义。     

Ascending flows in the solar atmosphere and formation of the solar wind

Some morphological features of solar magnetic fields in the chromosphere and corona are considered based on studying various observational data. These data are compared to the results of observation of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, as well as to the data on fluxes of solar cosmic rays. New specific features are found in the solar wind structure, and new additional indications of sources of the solar wind are obtained. The properties of the active regions and coronal holes are considered. A model of the ascending stream-like plasma flow is suggested. It flows around the discrete arched magnetic field tubes in the solar atmosphere and stretches them out into interplanetary space.