scholarly journals Planar magnetic structures in coronal mass ejection-driven sheath regions

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Palmerio ◽  
Emilia K. J. Kilpua ◽  
Neel P. Savani
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Single Plane ◽  
Magnetic Structures ◽  
Automated Method ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Planar magnetic structures (PMSs) are periods in the solar wind during which interplanetary magnetic field vectors are nearly parallel to a single plane. One of the specific regions where PMSs have been reported are coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven sheaths. We use here an automated method to identify PMSs in 95 CME sheath regions observed in situ by the Wind and ACE spacecraft between 1997 and 2015. The occurrence and location of the PMSs are related to various shock, sheath, and CME properties. We find that PMSs are ubiquitous in CME sheaths; 85 % of the studied sheath regions had PMSs with the mean duration of 6 h. In about one-third of the cases the magnetic field vectors followed a single PMS plane that covered a significant part (at least 67 %) of the sheath region. Our analysis gives strong support for two suggested PMS formation mechanisms: the amplification and alignment of solar wind discontinuities near the CME-driven shock and the draping of the magnetic field lines around the CME ejecta. For example, we found that the shock and PMS plane normals generally coincided for the events where the PMSs occurred near the shock (68 % of the PMS plane normals near the shock were separated by less than 20° from the shock normal), while deviations were clearly larger when PMSs occurred close to the ejecta leading edge. In addition, PMSs near the shock were generally associated with lower upstream plasma beta than the cases where PMSs occurred near the leading edge of the CME. We also demonstrate that the planar parts of the sheath contain a higher amount of strong southward magnetic field than the non-planar parts, suggesting that planar sheaths are more likely to drive magnetospheric activity.

scholarly journals Venus's induced magnetosphere during active solar wind conditions at BepiColombo's Venus 1 flyby

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Volwerk ◽  
Beatriz Sánchez-Cano ◽  
Daniel Heyner ◽  
Sae Aizawa ◽  
Nicolas André ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Gravity Assist ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Out of the two Venus flybys that BepiColombo uses as a gravity assist manoeuvre to finally arrive at Mercury, the first took place on 15 October 2020. After passing the bow shock, the spacecraft travelled along the induced magnetotail, crossing it mainly in the YVSO-direction. In this paper, the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter Magnetometer (MPO-MAG) data are discussed, with support from three other plasma instruments: the Planetary Ion Camera (PICAM), the Mercury Electron Analyser (MEA) and the radiation monitor (BERM). Behind the bow shock crossing, the magnetic field showed a draping pattern consistent with field lines connected to the interplanetary magnetic field wrapping around the planet. This flyby showed a highly active magnetotail, with, e.g., strong flapping motions at a period of ~7 min. This activity was driven by solar wind conditions. Just before this flyby, Venus's induced magnetosphere was impacted by a stealth coronal mass ejection, of which the trailing side was still interacting with it during the flyby. This flyby is a unique opportunity to study the full length and structure of the induced magnetotail of Venus, indicating that the tail was most likely still present at about 48 Venus radii.

scholarly journals Venus's induced magnetosphere during active solar wind conditions at BepiColombo's Venus 1 flyby

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-831
Author(s):  
Martin Volwerk ◽  
Beatriz Sánchez-Cano ◽  
Daniel Heyner ◽  
Sae Aizawa ◽  
Nicolas André ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Gravity Assist ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Out of the two Venus flybys that BepiColombo uses as a gravity assist manoeuvre to finally arrive at Mercury, the first took place on 15 October 2020. After passing the bow shock, the spacecraft travelled along the induced magnetotail, crossing it mainly in the YVSO direction. In this paper, the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter Magnetometer (MPO-MAG) data are discussed, with support from three other plasma instruments: the Planetary Ion Camera (SERENA-PICAM) of the SERENA suite, the Mercury Electron Analyser (MEA), and the BepiColombo Radiation Monitor (BERM). Behind the bow shock crossing, the magnetic field showed a draping pattern consistent with field lines connected to the interplanetary magnetic field wrapping around the planet. This flyby showed a highly active magnetotail, with e.g. strong flapping motions at a period of ∼7 min. This activity was driven by solar wind conditions. Just before this flyby, Venus's induced magnetosphere was impacted by a stealth coronal mass ejection, of which the trailing side was still interacting with it during the flyby. This flyby is a unique opportunity to study the full length and structure of the induced magnetotail of Venus, indicating that the tail was most likely still present at about 48 Venus radii.

Venus’s induced magnetosphere during active solar wind conditionsat BepiColombo’s Venus 1 flyby

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Volwerk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Gravity Assist ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

<p>Out of the two Venus flybys that BepiColombo uses as a gravity assist manoeuvre to finally arrive at Mercury, the first took place on 15 October 2020. After passing the bow shock, the spacecraft travelled along the induced magnetotail, crossing it mainly in the Y<sub>VSO</sub>-direction. We discuss the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter Magnetometer (MPOMAG)<br />data, with support from three other plasma instruments: the Planetary Ion Camera (PICAM), the Mercury<br />Electron Analyser (MEA) and the radiation monitor (BERM). Behind the bow shock crossing, the magnetic field showed a<br />draping pattern consistent with field lines connected to the interplanetary magnetic field wrapping around the planet. This flyby showed a highly active magnetotail, with, e.g., strong flapping motions at a period of ~7 min. This activity was driven by solar wind conditions. Just before this flyby, Venus’s induced magnetosphere was impacted by a stealth coronal mass ejection, of which the trailing side was still interacting with it during the flyby. This flyby is a unique opportunity to study the full length and structure of the induced magnetotail of Venus, indicating that the tail was most likely still present at about 48 Venus radii. This presentation will take place after the second Venus flyby by Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter on 9 and 10 August, respectively.</p>

scholarly journals Photospheric magnetic field of an eroded-by-solar-wind coronal mass ejection

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S327) ◽  
pp. 67-70
Author(s):  
J. Palacios ◽  
C. Cid ◽  
E. Saiz ◽  
A. Guerrero
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Coronal Hole ◽  
Interplanetary Medium ◽  
Flux Rope ◽  
Magnetic Characteristics ◽  
Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Fast Wind ◽  
Mass Ejection

AbstractWe have investigated the case of a coronal mass ejection that was eroded by the fast wind of a coronal hole in the interplanetary medium. When a solar ejection takes place close to a coronal hole, the flux rope magnetic topology of the coronal mass ejection (CME) may become misshapen at 1 AU as a result of the interaction. Detailed analysis of this event reveals erosion of the interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) magnetic field. In this communication, we study the photospheric magnetic roots of the coronal hole and the coronal mass ejection area with HMI/SDO magnetograms to define their magnetic characteristics.

scholarly journals Statistical Analysis of Magnetic Field Fluctuations in Coronal Mass Ejection-Driven Sheath Regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. K. J. Kilpua ◽  
S. W. Good ◽  
M. Ala-Lahti ◽  
A. Osmane ◽  
D. Fontaine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Inertial Range ◽  
Spectral Indices ◽  
Shock Region ◽  
Field Fluctuations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mass Ejection

We report a statistical analysis of magnetic field fluctuations in 79 coronal mass ejection- (CME-) driven sheath regions that were observed in the near-Earth solar wind. Wind high-resolution magnetic field data were used to investigate 2 h regions adjacent to the shock and ejecta leading edge (Near-Shock and Near-LE regions, respectively), and the results were compared with a 2 h region upstream of the shock. The inertial-range spectral indices in the sheaths are found to be mostly steeper than the Kolmogorov −5/3 index and steeper than in the solar wind ahead. We did not find indications of an f−1 spectrum, implying that magnetic fluctuation properties in CME sheaths differ significantly from planetary magnetosheaths and that CME-driven shocks do not reset the solar wind turbulence, as appears to happen downstream of planetary bow shocks. However, our study suggests that new compressible fluctuations are generated in the sheath for a wide variety of shock/upstream conditions. Fluctuation properties particularly differed between the Near-Shock region and the solar wind ahead. A strong positive correlation in the mean magnetic compressibility was found between the upstream and downstream regions, but the compressibility values in the sheaths were similar to those in the slow solar wind (<0.2), regardless of the value in the preceding wind. However, we did not find clear correlations between the inertial-range spectral indices in the sheaths and shock/preceding solar wind properties, nor with the mean normalized fluctuation amplitudes. Correlations were also considerably lower in the Near-LE region than in the Near-Shock region. Intermittency was also considerably higher in the sheath than in the upstream wind according to several proxies, particularly so in the Near-Shock region. Fluctuations in the sheath exhibit larger rotations than upstream, implying the presence of strong current sheets in the sheath that can add to intermittency.

Multi-point observations of a reconnection outflow associated with interacting flux ropes in the solar wind

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoltan Vörös ◽  
Emiliya Yordanova ◽  
Owen Roberts ◽  
Yasuhito Narita
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Flow Shear ◽  
Magnetic Flux Ropes ◽  
Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Flux Ropes ◽  
Magnetic Field Magnitude ◽  
Field Fluctuations ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

<p>Twisted magnetic flux ropes embedded in an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) often contain oppositely oriented magnetic fields and potentially reconnecting current sheets. Reconnection outflows in the solar wind can be identified through magnetic field and plasma signatures, for example, through decreasing magnetic field magnitude, enhanced bulk velocity, temperature and (anti)correlated rotations of the magnetic field and plasma velocity. We investigate a reconnection outflow observed by ACE, WIND and Geotail spacecraft within the interaction region of two flux ropes embedded into an ICME. The SOHO spacecraft, located 15 RE upstream, 120 RE in GSE Y and 5 RE in GSE Z direction from the ACE spacecraft, does not see any plasma signatures of the reconnection outflow. At the same time the other spacecraft, also separated by more than 200 RE in X and Y GSE directions, observe strong plasma and magnetic field fluctuations at the border of the exhaust.  The fluctuations could be associated with Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability at the border of the reconnection outflow with strong flow shear.  It is speculated that the KH instability driven fluctuations and dissipation is responsible for stopping the reconnection outflow which is therefore not seen by SOHO.</p>

scholarly journals Searching for failed eruptions interacting with overlying magnetic field

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S320) ◽  
pp. 221-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Gronkiewicz ◽  
Tomasz Mrozek ◽  
Sylwester Kołomański ◽  
Martyna Chruślińska
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Active Region ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Automated Method ◽  
Solar Eruptions ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Flare Site

AbstractIt is well known that not all solar flares are connected with eruptions followed by coronal mass ejection (CME). Even strongest X-class flares may not be accompanied by eruptions or are accompanied by failed eruptions. One of important factor that prevent eruption from developing into CME is strength of the magnetic field overlying flare site. Few observations show that active regions with specific magnetic configuration may produce many CME-less solar flares. Therefore, forecasts of geoeffective events based on active region properties have to take into account probability of confining solar eruptions. Present observations of SDO/AIA give a chance for deep statistical analysis of properties of an active region which may lead to confining an eruption. We developed automated method which can recognize eruptions in AIA images. With this tool we will be able to analyze statistical properties of failed eruptions observed by AIA telescope.

Spatial coherence of interplanetary coronal mass ejection-driven sheaths at 1 AU

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Ala-Lahti ◽  
Julia Ruohotie ◽  
Simon Good ◽  
Emilia Kilpua ◽  
Noé Lugaz
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Coherence ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections ◽  
Magnetic Structures ◽  
Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Field Fluctuations ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

<p><span>We report on the longitudinal coherence of sheath regions driven by interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs). ICME sheaths are significant drivers of geomagnetic activity at the Earth, with a considerable fraction of ICME-driven storms being either entirely or primarily induced by the sheath. Similarly to Lugaz et al. (2018; doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aad9f4</span><span>), we have analyzed two-point magnetic field measurements made by the ACE and <em>Wind </em>spacecraft in 29 ICME sheaths to estimate the coherence scale lengths, defined as the spatial scale at which correlation between measurements falls to zero, of the field magnitude and components. Scale lengths for the sheath are found to be mostly smaller than the corresponding values in the ICME driver, an expected result given that ICME sheaths are characterized by highly fluctuating, variable magnetic fields, in contrast to the often more coherent ejecta. A relatively large scale length for the magnetic field component in the GSE <em>y</em>-direction was found. We discuss how magnetic field line draping around the ejecta and the alignment of pre-existing magnetic structures by the preceding shock may explain the observed results. In addition, we consider the existence of longitudinally extended and possibly geoeffective magnetic field fluctuations within ICME sheaths, the full understanding of which requires further multi-spacecraft analysis.</span></p>

scholarly journals Magnetic field fluctuation properties of coronal mass ejection-driven sheath regions in the near-Earth solar wind

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia K. J. Kilpua ◽  
Dominique Fontaine ◽  
Simon Good ◽  
Matti Ala-Lahti ◽  
Adnane Osmane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Structure Function ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejection ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Spectral Indices ◽  
Field Fluctuation ◽  
Magnetic Field Fluctuation ◽  
Fast Wind ◽  
Mass Ejection

Abstract. In this work, we investigate the magnetic field fluctuations in three coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven sheath regions at 1 AU with their speeds ranging from slow to fast. The data set we use consists primarily of high resolution (0.092 s) magnetic field measurements from the Wind spacecraft. We analyse magnetic field fluctuation amplitudes and fluctuation amplitudes normalised to the mean magnetic field, compressibility, and spectral properties of fluctuations. We also analyse intermittency using various approaches: we apply the partial variance of increments (PVI) method, investigate probability distribution functions of fluctuations, including their skewness and kurtosis, and perform a structure function analysis. Our analysis is conducted separately for three different subregions in the sheath and in the solar wind ahead of it, each 1 hr in duration. We find that, for all cases, the transition from the solar wind ahead to the sheath generates new fluctuations and the intermittency and compressibility increase, while the region closest to the ejecta leading edge resembled the solar wind ahead. The spectral indices exhibit large variability in different parts of the sheath, but are typically steeper than Kolmogorov's in the inertial range. The structure function analysis produced generally much better fit with the extended p-model (Kraichnan's form) than with the standard version, implying that turbulence is not fully developed in CME sheaths near Earth's orbit. The p-values obtained (p~0.8–0.9) also suggest relatively high intermittency. At the smallest timescales investigated, the spectral indices indicate relatively shallow slopes (between −2 and −2.5), suggesting that in CME-driven sheaths at 1 AU the energy cascade from larger to smaller scales could still be ongoing through the ion scale. Regarding many properties (e.g., spectral indices and compressibility) turbulent properties in sheaths, regardless their speed, resemble that of the slow wind, rather fast wind. They are also partly similar to properties reported in terrestrial magnetosheath, in particular regarding their intermittency, compressibility and absence of Kolmogorov's type turbulence. Our study also reveals that turbulent properties can vary considerably within the sheath. This was in particular the case for the fast sheath behind the strong and quasi-parallel shock, including a small, coherent structure embedded close to its midpoint. Our results support the view of the complex formation of the sheath and different physical mechanisms playing a role in generating fluctuations in them.

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