Interplanetary streams and their interaction with the earth

Plasma and magnetic field observations of interplanetary streams near 1 AU are summarized. Two types of streams have been identified — corotating streams and flare-associated, and other flow patterns are present due to interactions among streams. The theory of corotating streams, which attributes them to a high temperature region near the Sun, satisfactorily explains many of the effects observed at 1 AU. A correspondingly complete theory of flare-associated streams does not exist. Streams are a key link in the chain that connects solar and geomagnetic activity. The factors that most influence geomagnetic activity are probably related to streams and determined by the dynamics of streams. The evolution of streams on scales of 27 days and 11 years probably determines the corresponding variations of geomagnetic activity.