A Solar Source of Alfvénic Magnetic Field Switchbacks: In Situ Remnants of Magnetic Funnels on Supergranulation Scales

One of the striking observations from the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) spacecraft is the prevalence in the inner heliosphere of large amplitude, Alfvénic magnetic field reversals termed switchbacks. These δ B R / B ∼  ( 1 ) fluctuations occur over a range of timescales and in patches separated by intervals of quiet, radial magnetic field. We use measurements from PSP to demonstrate that patches of switchbacks are localized within the extensions of plasma structures originating at the base of the corona. These structures are characterized by an increase in alpha particle abundance, Mach number, plasma β and pressure, and by depletions in the magnetic field magnitude and electron temperature. These intervals are in pressure balance, implying stationary spatial structure, and the field depressions are consistent with overexpanded flux tubes. The structures are asymmetric in Carrington longitude with a steeper leading edge and a small (∼1°) edge of hotter plasma and enhanced magnetic field fluctuations. Some structures contain suprathermal ions to ∼85 keV that we argue are the energetic tail of the solar wind alpha population. The structures are separated in longitude by angular scales associated with supergranulation. This suggests that these switchbacks originate near the leading edge of the diverging magnetic field funnels associated with the network magnetic field—the primary wind sources. We propose an origin of the magnetic field switchbacks, hot plasma and suprathermals, alpha particles in interchange reconnection events just above the solar transition region and our measurements represent the extended regions of a turbulent outflow exhaust.

Solar Wind ∼0.15–1.5 keV Electrons around Corotating Interaction Regions at 1 au

Here we present a statistical study of the ∼0.15–1.5 keV suprathermal electrons observed in uncompressed/compressed slow and fast solar wind around 59 corotating interaction regions (CIRs) with good measurements by Wind 3DP from 1995 through 1997. For each of these CIRs, we fit the strahl and halo energy spectra at ∼0.15–1.5 keV to a Kappa function with a Kappa index κ and kinetic temperature T eff. We find that the ∼0.15–1.5 keV strahl electrons behave similarly in both slow and fast wind: the strahl number density n s positively correlates with the solar wind electron temperature T e and interplanetary magnetic field magnitude ∣B∣, while the strahl pitch angle width Θ s decreases with the solar wind speed V sw. These suggest that the strahl electrons are generated by a similar/same process at the Sun in both slow and fast wind that produces these correlations, and the scattering efficiency of strahl in the interplanetary medium (IPM) decreases with V sw. The ∼0.15–1.5 keV halo electrons also behave similarly in both slow and fast wind: the halo parameter positively correlates with the corresponding strahl parameter, and the halo number density n h positively correlates only with T e . These indicate that the halo formation process in the IPM retains most of the strahl properties, but it erases the relationship between n s and ∣B∣. In addition, κ in compressed wind distributes similarly to that in uncompressed wind, for both the strahl and halo. It shows that CIRs at 1 au are not a significant/effective acceleration source for the strahl and halo.

Effects of optimisation parameters on data-driven magnetofrictional modelling

<p>The solar coronal magnetic field plays an important role in the formation, evolution, and dynamics of small and large-scale structures in the corona. Estimation of the coronal magnetic field, the ultimate driver of space weather, particularly in the ‘low’ and ‘middle’ corona, is presently limited due to practical difficulties. Data-driven time-dependent magnetofrictional modelling (TMFM) of active region magnetic fields has been proven as a tool to observe and study the corona. In this work, we present a detailed study of data-driven TMFM of active region 12473 to trace the early evolution of the flux rope related to the coronal mass ejection that occurred on 28 December 2015. Non-inductive electric field component in the photosphere is critical for energizing and introducing twist to the coronal magnetic field, thereby allowing unstable configurations to be formed. We estimate this component using an approach based on optimizing the injection of magnetic energy. We study the effects of these optimisation parameters on the data driven coronal simulations. By varying the free optimisation parameters, we explore the changes in flux rope formation and their early evolution, as well other parameters, e.g. axial flux, magnetic field magnitude.</p>

Solar wind and bow shock parameters affecting turbulence development inside the magnetosheath

<p>Development of the turbulent cascade inside the magnetosheath is known to be affected by the bow shock. Recently a number of studies showed various scenario of turbulent cascade modification at the bow shock including deviation from Kolmogorov scaling and additional damping of the kinetic-scale compressive fluctuations. Also, properties of probability distribution function may be modified behind the bow shock. However, factors which govern turbulence development in the magnetosheath remain unclear. Present study focuses on experimental analysis of the solar wind parameters which influence turbulence inside the magnetosheath. Analyzed data involves the combination of the solar wind parameters measured in L1 point by WIND spacecraft and Themis, Cluster and Spektr-R measurements behind the bow shock. Parameters of the frequency spectra of ion flux and/or magnetic field magnitude at frequency band from 0.01 to 2-10 Hz are considered such as slopes at magnetohydrodynamic and kinetic scales and the break frequency. Parameters of spectra are considered behind the bow shock of various topology i.e. for different mutual orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field and the local bow shock normal. Also, distance from the analyzed point to the bow shock nose is taken to the account. Obtained results point out that modification of the turbulent cascade at the bow shock is controlled not only by the bow shock topology but also by variability of the upstream solar wind plasma parameters and direction of the interplanetary magnetic field. In particular, Kolmogorov scaling often survives across the bow shock during periods of high-amplitude variations of plasma density and magnetic field magnitude in the solar wind. Also, increasing amplitude of northern interplanetary magnetic field results in steepening of spectra behind the bow shock.  </p>

A two-spacecraft study of Mars induced magnetosphere's response to upstream conditions

<p>We investigate the effects of the upstream solar wind magnetic field on the Martian induced magnetosphere. This is a two-spacecraft study, for which we use Mars Express (MEX) magnetic field magnitude data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) instrument and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) measurements and solar wind density and velocity from the magnetometer (MAG) and the Solar Wind Ion Analyzer (SWIA) on board Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN), from November 2014 to November 2018. Equally temporally spaced echoes appear in MARSIS' ionograms from which the electron cyclotron frequency and eventually the magnitude of the local magnetic field can be calculated. At the same time solar wind magnetic field data and solar wind parameters from MAG and SWIA respectively are utilized, providing the solar wind input to the Martian system. We make real time comparisons of the IMF and the induced magnetic field in the environment of Mars and we test the ratio B<sub>(MEX)</sub> /B<sub>(MAVEN)</sub>  against various parameters such as the solar wind dynamic pressure, velocity, density, Mach number as well as the Martian seasons, latitudes and heliocentric distances. Additionally, we search for disturbances in IMF which then can be traced in the induced field ultimately revealing the response time of the induced magnetosphere to the solar wind behaviour. <br />MEX and MAVEN measurements combined allow us to investigate the response of the Martian induced magnetosphere to the solar wind magnetic field. Real time comparisons of the IMF and the induced field could help us understand the mechanisms controlling the structure of the Martian induced magnetosphere. </p>

Safety and data quality of simultaneous EEG-fMRI using multi-band fMRI imaging

PurposeSimultaneously recorded electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) is highly informative yet technically challenging. Until recently, there has been little information about the data quality and safety when used with newer multi-band (MB) fMRI sequences. Here, we assessed heating-related safety of a MB protocol on a phantom, then evaluated EEG quality recorded concurrently with the MB protocol on humans.Materials and MethodsWe compared radiofrequency (RF)-related heating and magnetic field magnitude () of a fast MB fMRI sequence with whole-brain coverage (TR=440ms, MB factor=4) against a previously recommended, safe single-band (SB) sequence using a phantom outfitted with a 64-channel EEG cap. Temperatures were recorded at the ECG and TP7 electrodes using a fluoroptic thermometer. Next, 6 human subjects underwent eyes-closed resting state EEG-fMRI with the MB sequence. EEG data quality was assessed by the ability to remove gradient and cardioballistic artifacts and a clean spectrogram.ResultsRF induced heating was lower at both electrodes in the MB sequence compared to the SB sequence at ratios of 0.7 and 0.8, respectively. These ratios are slightly greater than the ratio of RF power deposition of the sequences, which is 0.64. However, our results are consistent with the use of RF power deposition, characterized by , in predicting less heating in the MB sequence than the SB sequence. In the resting state EEG data, gradient and cardioballistic artifacts were successfully removed using traditional template subtraction. All subjects showed an individual alpha peak in the spectrogram with a posterior topography characteristic of eyes-closed EEG.ConclusionsOur study shows that is a useful indication of the relative heating of fMRI protocols. This observation indicates that simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings using this MB sequence can be safe in terms of RF-related heating, and that EEG data recorded using this sequence is of acceptable quality.

Observation and Numerical Simulation of Propagation of ULF Waves From the Ion Foreshock Into the Magnetosphere

<p>Observational studies have demonstrated that ULF waves excited in the ion foreshock are a main source of Pc3-4 ULF waves detected in the magnetosphere. However, quantitative understanding of the propagation of the waves is not easy, because the waves are generated through a kinetic process in the foreshock, pass through the turbulent magnetosheath, and propagate as fast mode waves and couple to shear Alfven waves within the magnetosphere.  Recent advancement of hybrid numerical simulations of foreshock dynamics motivated us to analyze observational data from multiple sources and compare the results with simulation results. We have selected the time interval 1000-1200 UT on 20 July 2016, when the THEMIS, GOES, and Van Allen Probe spacecraft covered the solar wind, foreshock, magnetosheath, and magnetosphere. The EMMA magnetometers (L=1.6-6.5) were located near noon. We found that the spectrum of the magnetic field magnitude (Bt) in the foreshock exhibits a peak near 90 mHz, which agrees with the theoretical prediction assuming an ion beam instability in the foreshock.  A similar Bt spectrum is found in the dayside outer magnetosphere but not in the magnetosheath or in the nightside magnetosphere.  On the ground, a 90 mHz spectral peak was detected in the H component only at L=2-3. The numerical simulation using the VLASIATOR code shows that the foreshock is formed on the prenoon sector but that the effect of the upstream waves in the magnetosphere is most pronounced at noon. The Bt spectrum of the simulated waves in the outer magnetosphere exhibits a peak at 90 mHz, which is consistent with the observation.</p>

First measurements of the Mesospheric Magnetic Field in the Auroral Zone by means of laser

<p>In December 2019, for the first time, we were able to remotely measure the magnetic field in the mesospheric sodium layer, in the auroral zone.</p><p>By means of laser optical pumping and Larmor-resonance detection, it is possible to use the naturally occurring sodium layer in the mesosphere to measure Earth’s magnetic field magnitude at 90 km above ground. This is an altitude otherwise only accessible by rockets, which only will provide point measurements of very short time scales.</p><p>During the winter of 2019-20 we have applied a cw sum-frequency fasor/laser for probing the sodium-atom Larmor resonance at the Artic Lidar Observatory for Mesospheric Research (ALOMAR) at Andøya in northern Norway in order to measure and monitor the magnetic field in situ in the high latitude mesosphere over longer time scales.</p><p>The technique, which has been proved earlier at mid-latitudes, has now been confirmed and applied to high latitudes in the auroral zone during disturbed auroral and geomagnetic conditions. The magnetic field in the auroral zone is close to vertical making our measurements a notable achievement since the beam is closer to parallel with the magnetic field, contary to earlier measurements being closer to perpendicular as shown as best by theory.</p><p>This opens up for a completely new domain of measurements of externally generated geomagnetic variations related to currents in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system.</p><p>Here we report on the instrumental setup, and discuss our measurements of the mesospheric magnetic field.</p>

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

<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>

3D Magneto-Buoyancy-Thermocapillary Convection of CNT-Water Nanofluid in the Presence of a Magnetic Field

A numerical study is performed to investigate the effects of adding Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) and applying a magnetic field in two directions (vertical and horizontal) on the 3D-thermo-capillary natural convection. The cavity is differentially heated with a free upper surface. Governing equations are solved using the finite volume method. Results are presented in term of flow structure, temperature field and rate of heat transfer. In fact, results revealed that the flow structure and heat transfer rate are considerably affected by the magnitude and the direction of the magnetic field, the presence of thermocapillary forces and by increasing nanoparticles volume fraction. In opposition, the increase of the magnetic field magnitude leads to the control the flow causing flow stabilization by merging vortexes and reducing heat transfer rate.