scholarly journals Solar cycle variations of the energetic H/He intensity ratio at high heliolatitudes and in the ecliptic plane

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1229-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lario ◽  
E. C. Roelof ◽  
R. B. Decker ◽  
G. C. Ho ◽  
C. G. Maclennan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Intensity Ratio ◽  
Energetic Particle ◽  
Solar Minimum ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Ecliptic Plane ◽  
Interplanetary Shocks ◽  
Interplanetary Physics

Abstract. We study the variability of the heliospheric energetic proton-to-helium abundance ratios during different phases of the solar cycle. We use energetic particle, solar wind, and magnetic field data from the Ulysses, ACE and IMP-8 spacecraft to compare the H/He intensity ratio at high heliographic latitudes and in the ecliptic plane. During the first out-of-ecliptic excursion of Ulysses (1992–1996), the HI-SCALE instrument measured corotating energetic particle intensity enhancements characterized by low values (< 10) of the 0.5–1.0 MeV nucleon-1 H/He intensity ratio. During the second out-of-ecliptic excursion of Ulysses (1999–2002), the more frequent occurrence of solar energetic particle events resulted in almost continuously high (< 20) values of the H/He ratio, even at the highest heliolatitudes reached by Ulysses. Comparison with in-ecliptic measurements from an identical instrument on the ACE spacecraft showed similar H/He values at ACE and Ulysses, suggesting a remarkable uniformity of energetic particle intensities in the solar maximum heliosphere at high heliolatitudes and in the ecliptic plane. In-ecliptic observations of the H/He intensity ratio from the IMP-8 spacecraft show variations between solar maximum and solar minimum similar to those observed by Ulysses at high heliographic latitudes. We suggest that the variation of the H/He intensity ratio throughout the solar cycle is due to the different level of transient solar activity, as well as the different structure and duration that corotating solar wind structures have under solar maximum and solar minimum conditions. During solar minimum, the interactions between the two different types of solar wind streams (slow vs. fast) are strong and long-lasting, allowing for a continuous and efficient acceleration of interstellar pickup He +. During solar maximum, transient events of solar origin (characterized by high values of the H/He ratio) are able to globally fill the heliosphere. In addition, during solar maximum, the lack of strong recurrent high-speed solar wind streams, together with the dynamic character of the Sun, lead to weak and short-lived solar wind stream interactions. This results in a less efficient acceleration of pickup He +, and thus a higher value of the H/He intensity ratio.Key words. Interplanetary physics (energetic particles, interplanetary shocks; solar wind plasma)

scholarly journals Formation of a strong southward IMF near the solar maximum of cycle 23

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 673-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Watari ◽  
M. Vandas ◽  
T. Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Interplanetary Shocks ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Fields ◽  
Interplanetary Physics ◽  
Solar Wind Parameters ◽  
Interplanetary Disturbance

Abstract. We analyzed observations of the solar activities and the solar wind parameters associated with large geomagnetic storms near the maximum of solar cycle 23. This analysis showed that strong southward interplanetary magnetic fields (IMFs), formed through interaction between an interplanetary disturbance, and background solar wind or between interplanetary disturbances are an important factor in the occurrence of intense geomagnetic storms. Based on our analysis, we seek to improve our understanding of the physical processes in which large negative Bz's are created which will lead to improving predictions of space weather. Key words. Interplanetary physics (Flare and stream dynamics; Interplanetary magnetic fields; Interplanetary shocks)

scholarly journals How did the solar wind structure change around the solar maximum? From interplanetary scintillation observation

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1257-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Fujiki ◽  
M. Kojima ◽  
M. Tokumaru ◽  
T. Ohmi ◽  
A. Yokobe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Interplanetary Scintillation ◽  
Wind Structure ◽  
Interplanetary Physics ◽  
Solar Wind Structure

Abstract. Observations from the second Ulysses fast latitude scan show that the global structure of solar wind near solar maximum is much more complex than at solar minimum. Soon after solar maximum, Ulysses observed a polar coronal hole (high speed) plasma with magnetic polarity of the new solar cycle in the Northern Hemisphere. We analyze the solar wind structure at and near solar maximum using interplanetary scintillation (IPS) measurements. To do this, we have developed a new tomographic technique, which improves our ability to examine the complex structure of the solar wind at solar maximum. Our IPS results show that in 1999 and 2000 the total area with speed greater than 700 km s-1 is significantly reduced first in the Northern Hemisphere and then in the Southern Hemisphere. For year 2001, we find that the formation of large areas of fast solar wind around the north pole precedes the formation of large polar coronal holes around the southern pole by several months. The IPS observations show a high level agreement to the Ulysses observation, particularly in coronal holes.Key words. Interplanetary physics (solar wind plasma) – Radio science (remote sensing)

scholarly journals Latitudinal extent of large-scale structures in the solar wind

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1331-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Elliott ◽  
D. J. McComas ◽  
P. Riley
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Ecliptic Plane ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Field Polarity ◽  
Interplanetary Physics ◽  
Hydrodynamic Code

Abstract. Comparison of solar wind observations from the ACE spacecraft, in the ecliptic plane at ~ 1 AU, and the Ulysses spacecraft as it orbits over the Sun’s poles, provides valuable information about the latitudinal extent and variation of solar wind structures in the heliosphere. While qualitative comparisons can be made using average properties observed at these two locations, the comparison of specific, individual structures requires a procedure to determine if a given structure has been observed by both spacecraft. We use a 1-D hydrodynamic code to propagate ACE plasma measurements out to the distance of Ulysses and adjust for the differing longitudes of the ACE and Ulysses spacecraft. In addition to comparing the plasma parameters and their characteristic profiles, we examine suprathermal electron measurements and magnetic field polarity to help determine if the same features are encountered at both ACE and Ulysses. The He I l 1083 nm coronal hole maps are examined to understand the global structure of the Sun during the time of our heliospheric measurements. We find that the same features are frequently observed when both spacecraft are near the ecliptic plane. Stream structures derived from smaller coronal holes during the rising phase of solar cycle 23 persists over 20°–30° in heliolatitude, consistent with their spatial scales back at the Sun.Key words. Interplanetary physics (solar wind plasma)

scholarly journals Extremely low geomagnetic activity during the recent deep solar cycle minimum

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S286) ◽  
pp. 200-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Echer ◽  
B. T. Tsurutani ◽  
W. D. Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Geomagnetic Activity ◽  
Solar Minimum ◽  
Solar Wind Speed ◽  
Sunspot Cycle ◽  
Cycle Minimum ◽  
Current Minimum ◽  
Solar Wind Parameters ◽  
Xix Century

AbstractThe recent solar minimum (2008-2009) was extreme in several aspects: the sunspot number, Rz, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) magnitude Bo and solar wind speed Vsw were the lowest during the space era. Furthermore, the variance of the IMF southward Bz component was low. As a consequence of these exceedingly low solar wind parameters, there was a minimum in the energy transfer from solar wind to the magnetosphere, and the geomagnetic activity ap index reached extremely low levels. The minimum in geomagnetic activity was delayed in relation to sunspot cycle minimum. We compare the solar wind and geomagnetic activity observed in this recent minimum with previous solar cycle values during the space era (1964-2010). Moreover, the geomagnetic activity conditions during the current minimum are compared with long term variability during the period of available geomagnetic observations. The extremely low geomagnetic activity observed in this solar minimum was previously recorded only at the end of XIX century and at the beginning of the XX century, and this might be related to the Gleissberg (80-100 years) solar cycle.

A neural network-based mid-term prognosis of geomagnetic storms that uses pre-storm effects related to current sheets and magnetic islands

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Fridman
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Minimum ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Magnetic Islands ◽  
Solar Wind Density ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Storm Effects ◽  
Term Forecast ◽  
Advance Time

&lt;p&gt;Mid-term prognoses of geomagnetic storms require an improvement since the&amp;#1091; are known to have rather low accuracy which does not exceed 40% in solar minimum. We claim that the problem lies in the approach. Current mid-term forecasts are typically built using the same paradigm as short-term ones and suggest an analysis of the solar wind conditions typical for geomagnetic storms. According to this approach, there is a 20-60 minute delay between the arrival of a geoeffective flow/stream to L1 and the arrival of the signal from the spacecraft to Earth, which gives a necessary advance time for a short-term prognosis. For the mid-term forecast with an advance time from 3 hours to 3 days, this is not enough. Therefore, we have suggested finding precursors of geomagnetic storms observed in the solar wind. Such precursors are variations in the solar wind density and the interplanetary magnetic field in the ULF range associated with crossings of magnetic cavities in front of the arriving geoeffective high-speed streams and flows (Khabarova et al., 2015, 2016, 2018; Adhikari et al., 2019). Despite some preliminary studies have shown that this might be a perspective way to create a mid-term prognosis (Khabarova 2007; Khabarova &amp; Yermolaev, 2007), the problem of automatization of the prognosis remained unsolved.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Solar cycle changes in the geo-effectiveness of small-scale solar wind turbulence measured by Wind and ACE at 1 AU

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 1183-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Parkinson ◽  
R. C. Healey ◽  
P. L. Dyson
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Solar Minimum ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Mhd Turbulence ◽  
Scaling Exponents ◽  
Solar Wind Turbulence ◽  
Wind Turbulence

Abstract. Multi-scale structure of the solar wind in the ecliptic at 1 AU undergoes significant evolution with the phase of the solar cycle. Wind spacecraft measurements during 1995 to 1998 and ACE spacecraft measurements during 1997 to 2005 were used to characterise the evolution of small-scale (~1 min to 2 h) fluctuations in the solar wind speed vsw, magnetic energy density B2, and solar wind ε parameter, in the context of large-scale (~1 day to years) variations. The large-scale variation in ε most resembled large-scale variations in B2. The probability density of large fluctuations in ε and B2 both had strong minima during 1995, a familiar signature of solar minimum. Generalized Structure Function (GSF) analysis was used to estimate inertial range scaling exponents aGSF and their evolution throughout 1995 to 2005. For the entire data set, the weighted average scaling exponent for small-scale fluctuations in vsw was aGSF=0.284±0.001, a value characteristic of intermittent MHD turbulence (>1/4), whereas the scaling exponents for corresponding fluctuations in B2 and ε were aGSF=0.395±0.001 and 0.334±0.001, respectively. These values are between the range expected for Gaussian fluctuations (1/2) and Kolmogorov turbulence (1/3). However, the scaling exponent for ε changed from a Gaussian-Kolmogorov value of 0.373±0.005 during 1997 (end of solar minimum) to an MHD turbulence value of 0.247±0.004 during 2003 (recurrent fast streams). Changes in the characteristics of solar wind turbulence may be reproducible from one solar cycle to the next.

scholarly journals Breathing of heliospheric structures triggered by the solar-cycle activity

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1303-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Scherer ◽  
H. J. Fahr
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Periodic Variation ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Interplanetary Physics ◽  
Ram Pressure

Abstract. Solar wind ram pressure variations occuring within the solar activity cycle are communicated to the outer heliosphere as complicated time-variabilities, but repeating its typical form with the activity period of about 11 years. At outer heliospheric regions, the main surviving solar cycle feature is a periodic variation of the solar wind dynamical pressure or momentum flow, as clearly recognized by observations of the VOYAGER-1/2 space probes. This long-periodic variation of the solar wind dynamical pressure is modeled here through application of appropriately time-dependent inner boundary conditions within our multifluid code to describe the solar wind – interstellar medium interaction. As we can show, it takes several solar cycles until the heliospheric structures adapt to an average location about which they carry out a periodic breathing, however, lagged in phase with respect to the solar cycle. The dynamically active heliosphere behaves differently from a static heliosphere and especially shows a historic hysteresis in the sense that the shock structures move out to larger distances than explained by the average ram pressure. Obviously, additional energies are pumped into the heliosheath by means of density and pressure waves which are excited. These waves travel outwards through the interface from the termination shock towards the bow shock. Depending on longitude, the heliospheric sheath region memorizes 2–3 (upwind) and up to 6–7 (downwind) preceding solar activity cycles, i.e. the cycle-induced waves need corresponding travel times for the passage over the heliosheath. Within our multifluid code we also adequately describe the solar cycle variations in the energy distributions of anomalous and galactic cosmic rays, respectively. According to these results the distribution of these high energetic species cannot be correctly described on the basis of the actually prevailing solar wind conditions.Key words. Interplanetary physics (heliopause and solar wind termination; general or miscellaneous) – Space plasma physics (experimental and mathematical techniques)

scholarly journals Dynamical evolution of the inner heliosphere approaching solar activity maximum: interpreting Ulysses observations using a global MHD model

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1347-1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Riley ◽  
Z. Mikić ◽  
J. A. Linker
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Activity Maximum ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Fields ◽  
Interplanetary Physics ◽  
Interaction Regions

Abstract. In this study we describe a series of MHD simulations covering the time period from 12 January 1999 to 19 September 2001 (Carrington Rotation 1945 to 1980). This interval coincided with: (1) the Sun’s approach toward solar maximum; and (2) Ulysses’ second descent to the southern polar regions, rapid latitude scan, and arrival into the northern polar regions. We focus on the evolution of several key parameters during this time, including the photospheric magnetic field, the computed coronal hole boundaries, the computed velocity profile near the Sun, and the plasma and magnetic field parameters at the location of Ulysses. The model results provide a global context for interpreting the often complex in situ measurements. We also present a heuristic explanation of stream dynamics to describe the morphology of interaction regions at solar maximum and contrast it with the picture that resulted from Ulysses’ first orbit, which occurred during more quiescent solar conditions. The simulation results described here are available at: http://sun.saic.com.Key words. Interplanetary physics (Interplanetary magnetic fields; solar wind plasma; sources of the solar wind)

scholarly journals Alfvénic fluctuations in "newborn"' polar solar wind

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1513-1520 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Bavassano ◽  
E. Pietropaolo ◽  
R. Bruno
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Residual Energy ◽  
Mhd Waves ◽  
Polar Wind ◽  
Interplanetary Physics ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Comparative Statistical Analysis

Abstract. The 3-D structure of the solar wind is strongly dependent upon the Sun's activity cycle. At low solar activity a bimodal structure is dominant, with a fast and uniform flow at the high latitudes, and slow and variable flows at low latitudes. Around solar maximum, in sharp contrast, variable flows are observed at all latitudes. This last kind of pattern, however, is a relatively short-lived feature, and quite soon after solar maximum the polar wind tends to regain its role. The plasma parameter distributions for these newborn polar flows appear very similar to those typically observed in polar wind at low solar activity. The point addressed here is about polar wind fluctuations. As is well known, the low-solar-activity polar wind is characterized by a strong flow of Alfvénic fluctuations. Does this hold for the new polar flows too? An answer to this question is given here through a comparative statistical analysis on parameters such as total energy, cross helicity, and residual energy, that are of general use to describe the Alfvénic character of fluctuations. Our results indicate that the main features of the Alfvénic fluctuations observed in low-solar-activity polar wind have been quickly recovered in the new polar flows developed shortly after solar maximum. Keywords. Interplanetary physics (MHD waves and turbulence; Sources of the solar wind) – Space plasma physics (Turbulence)

scholarly journals Low Density Drivers of Strong Interplanetary Shocks

1996 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
pp. 5-13
Author(s):  
A. Hewish
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Strong Shock ◽  
Low Density ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Interplanetary Shocks ◽  
Fast Solar Wind ◽  
Proton Temperature ◽  
High Speed Flows

AbstractThe theory that most, if not all, interplanetary shocks are caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) faces serious problems in accounting for the strongest shocks. The difficulties include (i) a remarkable absence of very strong shocks during solar maximum 1980 when CMEs were prolific, (ii) unrealistic initial speeds near the Sun for impulsive models, (iii) the absence of rarefaction zones behind the shocks and (iv) sustained high speed flows following shocks which are not easily explained as consequences of CME eruptions. Observations of the proton temperature near 1 AU indicate that strong shock drivers have properties similar to high speed streams emitted by coronal holes. Eruptions of fast solar wind from coronal holes influenced by solar activity can explain the occurrence of the strongest interplanetary shocks.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document