Slow Solar Wind: Observations and Modeling

While it is certain that the fast solar wind originates from coronal holes, where and how the slow solar wind (SSW) is formed remains an outstanding question in solar physics even in the post-SOHO era. The quest for the SSW origin forms a major objective for the planned future missions such as the Solar Orbiter and Solar Probe Plus. Nonetheless, results from spacecraft data, combined with theoretical modeling, have helped to investigate many aspects of the SSW. Fundamental physical properties of the coronal plasma have been derived from spectroscopic and imaging remote-sensing data and in situ data, and these results have provided crucial insights for a deeper understanding of the origin and acceleration of the SSW. Advanced models of the SSW in coronal streamers and other structures have been developed using 3D MHD and multi-fluid equations.However, the following questions remain open: What are the source regions and their contributions to the SSW? What is the role of the magnetic topology in the corona for the origin, acceleration and energy deposition of the SSW? What are the possible acceleration and heating mechanisms for the SSW? The aim of this review is to present insights on the SSW origin and formation gathered from the discussions at the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) by the Team entitled “Slow solar wind sources and acceleration mechanisms in the corona” held in Bern (Switzerland) in March 2014 and 2015.     

Book reviews

The general significance of streamers of the solar corona is discussed in the frame of our knowledge of the solar wind phenomenon and the large-scale solar magnetic structure. Thermodynamical and geometric parameters of streamers observed and measured at total solar eclipses are reviewed. Both the low part (in the form of a helmet with a cusp) and the external part (in the form of a stalk extended at many solar radii) are considered. The modelling of streamers starts with the analysis of effects produced by the solar wind flow on a magnetic structure. Facts and arguments are presented in favor of a model with a current sheet and reconnection processes going on along the axis of the streamer, especially in the non-collisional part of the radially extended streamer. Further development of the Pneuman and Kopp (1971) model is discussed, including difficulties occurring in the interpretation of a stationary solution. An empirical model satisfying observations is presented. Future researchs on streamers were discussed with emphasis on observations to be done with the space-borne coronagraphs on the SOHO spacecraft.     

Magnetic energy release near accreting black holes

The observed non-thermal emission from accreting compact objects is often understood in terms of the expected magnetic activity of accretion disks. This review discusses the constraints on this view point that can be obtained from, principally, the X-ray spectra and the X-ray variability of black hole candidates.Furthermore, the traditional view of an accretion disk corona, put forward as the source of the non-thermal emission, analogous to the solar corona is shown to be wrong on a few important points. Firstly, the density in the equilibrium accretion disk corona is extremely low. A reasonable plasma density is retained by pair production processes similar to those existing in the pulsar magnetosphere. Secondly, the dominant resistivity in the accretion the disk on the current carrying electrons.     

The massive star distribution in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds

The numbers and distribution of Population I O-type stars and Wolf-Rayet stars are reviewed. The numbers of known WR stars in the Galaxy, the LMC and the SMC are 185, 114, and 9, respectively. Distances and galactic distributions determined by various authors are compared. The single star and binary distributions are discussed in the light of evolutionary studies.     

Magnetic fine structures in coronal loops

The formation of magnetic fine structures and associated electric currents is considered in the context of the coronal heating problem. The penetration of field-aligned electric currents into the lower atmosphere is discussed. It is argued that currents strong enough to heat the corona can persist only for short periods of time. The formation of thin current sheets is discussed. It is argued that photospheric magnetic structures (flux tubes) play an important role in the generation of coronal currents.     

The low-energy neutral atom imager for IMAGE

The `Imager for Magnetosphere-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) will be launched early in the year 2000. It will be the first mission dedicated to imaging, with the capability to determine how the magnetosphere changes globally in response to solar storm effects in the solar wind, on time scales as short as a few minutes. The low energy neutral atom (LENA) imager uses a new atom-to-negative ion surface conversion technology to image the neutral atom flux and measure its composition (H and O) and energy distribution (10 to 750 eV). LENA uses electrostatic optics techniques for energy (per charge) discrimination and carbon foil time-of-flight techniques for mass discrimination. It has a 90°×° field-of-view in 12 pixels, each nominally 8°×°. Spacecraft spin provides a total field-of-view of 90°×360°, comprised of 12×45 pixels. LENA is designed to image fast neutral atom fluxes in its energy range, emitted by auroral ionospheres or the sun, or penetrating from the interstellar medium. It will thereby determine how superthermal plasma heating is distributed in space, how and why it varies on short time scales, and how this heating is driven by solar activity as reflected in solar wind conditions.     

The COS-B X-ray observations of X-ray binaries

The observational information on X-ray binaries that was collected with the 80 cm² auxiliary X-ray detector onboard the COS-B gamma-ray satellite is reviewed. The results illustrate that in the study of X-ray binaries observations of long duration are extremely effective, even when using a small instrument.     

Book reviews

Space Science Reviews -