Preliminary results of Space Weather conditions encountered by BepiColombo during the first phase of its cruise

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Sanchez-Cano ◽  
Richard Moissl ◽  
Daniel Heyner ◽  
Juhani Huovelin ◽  
M. Leila Mays ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Slow Solar Wind ◽  
Astronomical Unit ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Outer Planets ◽  
Interaction Regions

<p>Planetary Space Weather is the discipline that studies the state of the Sun and how it interacts with the interplanetary and planetary environments. It is driven by the Sun’s activity, particularly through large eruptions of plasma (known as coronal mass ejections, CMEs), solar wind stream interaction regions (SIR) formed by the interaction of high-speed solar wind streams with the preceding slower solar wind, and bursts of solar energetic particles (SEPs) that form radiation storms. This is an emerging topic, whose real-time forecast is very challenging because among other factors, it needs a continuous coverage of its variability within the whole heliosphere as well as of the Sun’s activity to improve forecasting. <br />The long cruise of BepiColombo constitutes an exceptional opportunity for studying the Space Weather evolution within half-astronomical unit (AU), as well as in certain parts of its journey, can be used as an upstream solar wind monitor for Venus, Mars and even the outer planets. This work will present preliminary results of the Space Weather conditions encountered by BepiColombo since its launch until mid-2020, which includes data from the solar minimum of activity and few slow solar wind structures. Data come from three of its instruments that are operational for most of the cruise phase, i.e., the BepiColombo Radiation Monitor (BERM), the Mercury Planetary Orbiter Magnetometer (MPO-MAG), and the Solar Intensity X-ray and particle Spectrometer (SIXS). Modelling support for the data observations will be also presented with the so-called solar wind ENLIL simulations.</p>

3D MHD study of the Earth magnetosphere response during extreme space weather conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacobo Varela Rodriguez ◽  
Sacha A. Brun ◽  
Antoine Strugarek ◽  
Victor Réville ◽  
Filippo Pantellini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Coronal Mass Ejections ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Earth Surface ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Imf

<p><span>The aim of the study is to analyze the response of the Earth magnetosphere for various space weather conditions and model the effect of interplanetary coronal mass ejections. The magnetopause stand off distance, open-closed field lines boundary and plasma flows towards the planet surface are investigated. We use the MHD code PLUTO in spherical coordinates to perform a parametric study regarding the dynamic pressure and temperature of the solar wind as well as the interplanetary magnetic field intensity and orientation. The range of the parameters analyzed extends from regular to extreme space weather conditions consistent with coronal mass ejections at the Earth orbit. The direct precipitation of the solar wind on the Earth day side at equatorial latitudes is extremely unlikely even during super coronal mass ejections. For example, the SW precipitation towards the Earth surface for a IMF purely oriented in the Southward direction requires a IMF intensity around 1000 nT and the SW dynamic pressure above 350 nPa, space weather conditions well above super-ICMEs. The analysis is extended to previous stages of the solar evolution considering the rotation tracks from Carolan (2019). The simulations performed indicate an efficient shielding of the Earth surface 1100 Myr after the Sun enters in the main sequence. On the other hand, for early evolution phases along the Sun main sequence once the Sun rotation rate was at least 5 times faster (< 440 Myr), the Earth surface was directly exposed to the solar wind during coronal mass ejections (assuming today´s Earth magnetic field). Regarding the satellites orbiting the Earth, Southward and Ecliptic IMF orientations are particularly adverse for Geosynchronous satellites, partially exposed to the SW if the SW dynamic pressure is 8-14 nPa and the IMF intensity 10 nT. On the other hand, Medium orbit satellites at 20000 km are directly exposed to the SW during Common ICME if the IMF orientation is Southward and during Strong ICME if the IMF orientation is Earth-Sun or Ecliptic. The same way, Medium orbit satellites at 10000 km are directly exposed to the SW if a Super ICME with Southward IMF orientation impacts the Earth.</span></p><p>This work was supported by the project 2019-T1/AMB-13648 founded by the Comunidad de Madrid, grants ERC WholeSun, Exoplanets A and PNP. We extend our thanks to CNES for Solar Orbiter, PLATO and Meteo Space science support and to INSU/PNST for their financial support.</p>

scholarly journals EISCAT measurements of the solar wind

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1235-1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Breen ◽  
W. A. Coles ◽  
R. R. Grall ◽  
M. T. Klinglesmith ◽  
J. Markkanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Slow Solar Wind ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Interplanetary Scintillation ◽  
Final Velocity ◽  
Flow Vector ◽  
Fast Wind ◽  
Interaction Regions ◽  
Slow Wind ◽  
Eiscat Measurements

Abstract. EISCAT observations of interplanetary scintillation have been used to measure the velocity of the solar wind at distances between 15 and 130 R⊙ (solar radii) from the Sun. The results show that the solar wind consists of two distinct components, a fast stream with a velocity of ~800 km s–1 and a slow stream at ~400 km s–1. The fast stream appears to reach its final velocity much closer to the Sun than expected. The results presented here suggest that this is also true for the slow solar wind. Away from interaction regions the flow vector of the solar wind is purely radial to the Sun. Observations have been made of fast wind/slow wind interactions which show enhanced levels of scintillation in compression regions.

Formation of current sheets and plasmoids within corotating/stream interaction regions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timofey Sagitov ◽  
Roman Kislov
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Hole ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Solar Rotation ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Current Sheets ◽  
Interaction Regions

<p>High speed streams originating from coronal holes are long-lived plasma structures that form corotating interaction regions (CIRs) or stream interface regions (SIRs) in the solar wind. The term CIR is used for streams existing for at least one solar rotation period, and the SIR stands for streams with a shorter lifetime. Since the plasma flows from coronal holes quasi-continuously, CIRs/SIRs simultaneously expand and rotate around the Sun, approximately following the Parker spiral shape up to the Earth’s orbit.</p><p>Coronal hole streams rotate not only around the Sun but also around their own axis of simmetry, resembling a screw. This effect may occur because of the following mechanisms: (1) the existence of a difference between the solar wind speed at different sides of the stream, (2) twisting of the magnetic field frozen into the plasma, and  (3) a vortex-like motion of the edge of the mothering coronal hole at the Sun. The screw type of the rotation of a CIR/SIR can lead to centrifugal instability if CIR/SIR inner layers have a larger angular velocity than the outer. Furthermore, the rotational plasma movement and the stream distortion can twist magnetic field lines. The latter contributes to the pinch effect in accordance with a well-known criterion of Suydam instability (Newcomb, 1960, doi: 10.1016/0003-4916(60)90023-3). Owing to the presence of a cylindrical current sheet at the boundary of a coronal hole, conditions for tearing instability can also appear at the CIR/SIR boundary. Regardless of their geometry, large scale current sheets are subject to various instabilities generating plasmoids. Altogether, these effects can lead to the formation of a turbulent region within CIRs/SIRs, making them filled with current sheets and plasmoids. </p><p>We study a substructure of CIRs/SIRs, characteristics of their rotation in the solar wind, and give qualitative estimations of possible mechanisms which lead to splitting of the leading edge a coronal hole flow and consequent formation of current sheets within CIRs/SIRs.</p>

scholarly journals Space Weather Forecasting: What We Know Now and What Are the Current and Future Challenges?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce T. Tsurutani ◽  
Gurbax S. Lakhina ◽  
Rajkumar Hajra
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Energetic Particle ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Magnetic Clouds ◽  
Slow Solar Wind ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere

Abstract. Geomagnetic storms are caused by solar wind southward magnetic fields that impinge upon the Earth’s magnetosphere (Dungey, 1961). How can we forecast the occurrence of these interplanetary events? We view this as the most important challenge in Space Weather. We discuss the case for magnetic clouds (MCs), interplanetary sheaths upstream of ICMEs, corotating interaction regions (CIRs) and high speed streams (HSSs). The sheath- and CIR-related magnetic storms will be difficult to predict and will require better knowledge of the slow solar wind and modeling to solve. There are challenges for forecasting the fluences and spectra of solar energetic particles. This will require better knowledge of interplanetary shock properties from the Sun to 1 AU (and beyond), the upstream slow solar wind and energetic seed particles. Dayside aurora, triggering of nightside substorms, and formation of new radiation belts can all be caused by shock and interplanetary ram pressure impingements onto the Earth’s magnetosphere. The acceleration and loss of relativistic magnetospheric killer electrons and penetrating electric fields in terms of causing positive and negative ionospheric storms are currently reasonable well understood, but refinements can still be made. The forecasting of extreme events (extreme shocks, extreme solar energetic particle events, and extreme geomagnetic storms (Carrington events or greater)) are also discussed. Energetic particle precipitation and ozone destruction is briefly discussed. For many of the studies, the Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS), Arase, and SWARM data will be useful.

scholarly journals The physics of space weather/solar-terrestrial physics (STP): what we know now and what the current and future challenges are

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce T. Tsurutani ◽  
Gurbax S. Lakhina ◽  
Rajkumar Hajra
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Energetic Particle ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Interplanetary Space ◽  
Magnetic Clouds ◽  
Slow Solar Wind ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere

Abstract. Major geomagnetic storms are caused by unusually intense solar wind southward magnetic fields that impinge upon the Earth's magnetosphere (Dungey, 1961). How can we predict the occurrence of future interplanetary events? Do we currently know enough of the underlying physics and do we have sufficient observations of solar wind phenomena that will impinge upon the Earth's magnetosphere? We view this as the most important challenge in space weather. We discuss the case for magnetic clouds (MCs), interplanetary sheaths upstream of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), corotating interaction regions (CIRs) and solar wind high-speed streams (HSSs). The sheath- and CIR-related magnetic storms will be difficult to predict and will require better knowledge of the slow solar wind and modeling to solve. For interplanetary space weather, there are challenges for understanding the fluences and spectra of solar energetic particles (SEPs). This will require better knowledge of interplanetary shock properties as they propagate and evolve going from the Sun to 1 AU (and beyond), the upstream slow solar wind and energetic “seed” particles. Dayside aurora, triggering of nightside substorms, and formation of new radiation belts can all be caused by shock and interplanetary ram pressure impingements onto the Earth's magnetosphere. The acceleration and loss of relativistic magnetospheric “killer” electrons and prompt penetrating electric fields in terms of causing positive and negative ionospheric storms are reasonably well understood, but refinements are still needed. The forecasting of extreme events (extreme shocks, extreme solar energetic particle events, and extreme geomagnetic storms (Carrington events or greater)) are also discussed. Energetic particle precipitation into the atmosphere and ozone destruction are briefly discussed. For many of the studies, the Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS), Arase, and SWARM data will be useful.

Spatial evolution of turbulent regions associated with stream interaction regions in the solar wind

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Kislov ◽  
Timothy Sagitov ◽  
Helmi Malova
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Plasma Flow ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Spatial Evolution ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Current Sheets ◽  
Interaction Regions ◽  
High Speed Flows

<p>High-speed flows from coronal holes are separated from the surrounding solar wind by stream or corotating interaction regions (SIRs/CIRs). The latter have a complex dynamic structure, which is determined by turbulence, the presence of current sheets and magnetic islands/flux ropes/blobs/plasmoids. As the Sun rotates, SIRs along with high-speed flows propagate in the heliosphere. A SIR can be considered as a single large-scale object resembling a magnetic tube with walls of varying thickness. In this case, one can think not only about the speed of the plasma flow inside and near the given object, but also about its movement around the Sun as a whole. Because of this rotation, SIRs can cross the orbits of two separated spacecraft, which may allow one to study the spatial evolution of their structure. We have chosen the events when SIRs were sequentially detected by ACE and one of the STEREO spacecraft. In each case, a position of the Stream Interface (SI) was found, relative to which the position of other structures within the SIR was determined. Using a newly developed method for identifying current sheets [Khabarova et al. 2021], the SIR fine structure and the properties of turbulent plasma flow were studied. The estimates of the angular velocity of rotation SIR around the Sun are given. A model is constructed that describes the motion of SIRs in the heliosphere and their main large-scale properties.</p><p>Khabarova O., Sagitov T., Kislov R., Li G. (2021), http://arxiv.org/abs/2101.02804</p>

scholarly journals Space weather: the solar perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Temmer
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Interplanetary Space ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Space Weather Forecasting ◽  
Stereo Mission ◽  
Interaction Regions ◽  
Near Future ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe Sun, as an active star, is the driver of energetic phenomena that structure interplanetary space and affect planetary atmospheres. The effects of Space Weather on Earth and the solar system is of increasing importance as human spaceflight is preparing for lunar and Mars missions. This review is focusing on the solar perspective of the Space Weather relevant phenomena, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), flares, solar energetic particles (SEPs), and solar wind stream interaction regions (SIR). With the advent of the STEREO mission (launched in 2006), literally, new perspectives were provided that enabled for the first time to study coronal structures and the evolution of activity phenomena in three dimensions. New imaging capabilities, covering the entire Sun-Earth distance range, allowed to seamlessly connect CMEs and their interplanetary counterparts measured in-situ (so called ICMEs). This vastly increased our knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of interplanetary space due to solar activity and fostered the development of Space Weather forecasting models. Moreover, we are facing challenging times gathering new data from two extraordinary missions, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe (launched in 2018) and ESA’s Solar Orbiter (launched in 2020), that will in the near future provide more detailed insight into the solar wind evolution and image CMEs from view points never approached before. The current review builds upon the Living Reviews article by Schwenn from 2006, updating on the Space Weather relevant CME-flare-SEP phenomena from the solar perspective, as observed from multiple viewpoints and their concomitant solar surface signatures.

The Sun

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna D. Haigh ◽  
Peter Cargill
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Atmosphere ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Base Level ◽  
Earth’S Climate ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Terrestrial Magnetic Field

This chapter discusses how there are four general factors that contribute to the Sun's potential role in variations in the Earth's climate. First, the fusion processes in the solar core determine the solar luminosity and hence the base level of radiation impinging on the Earth. Second, the presence of the solar magnetic field leads to radiation at ultraviolet (UV), extreme ultraviolet (EUV), and X-ray wavelengths which can affect certain layers of the atmosphere. Third, the variability of the magnetic field over a 22-year cycle leads to significant changes in the radiative output at some wavelengths. Finally, the interplanetary manifestation of the outer solar atmosphere (the solar wind) interacts with the terrestrial magnetic field, leading to effects commonly called space weather.

scholarly journals The evolution of inverted magnetic fields through the inner heliosphere

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (3) ◽  
pp. 3642-3655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan R Macneil ◽  
Mathew J Owens ◽  
Robert T Wicks ◽  
Mike Lockwood ◽  
Sarah N Bentley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Radial Distance ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Slow Solar Wind ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Radial Evolution ◽  
In Transit ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Inner Heliosphere

ABSTRACT Local inversions are often observed in the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF), but their origins and evolution are not yet fully understood. Parker Solar Probe has recently observed rapid, Alfvénic, HMF inversions in the inner heliosphere, known as ‘switchbacks’, which have been interpreted as the possible remnants of coronal jets. It has also been suggested that inverted HMF may be produced by near-Sun interchange reconnection; a key process in mechanisms proposed for slow solar wind release. These cases suggest that the source of inverted HMF is near the Sun, and it follows that these inversions would gradually decay and straighten as they propagate out through the heliosphere. Alternatively, HMF inversions could form during solar wind transit, through phenomena such velocity shears, draping over ejecta, or waves and turbulence. Such processes are expected to lead to a qualitatively radial evolution of inverted HMF structures. Using Helios measurements spanning 0.3–1 au, we examine the occurrence rate of inverted HMF, as well as other magnetic field morphologies, as a function of radial distance r, and find that it continually increases. This trend may be explained by inverted HMF observed between 0.3 and 1 au being primarily driven by one or more of the above in-transit processes, rather than created at the Sun. We make suggestions as to the relative importance of these different processes based on the evolution of the magnetic field properties associated with inverted HMF. We also explore alternative explanations outside of our suggested driving processes which may lead to the observed trend.

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