Relationship between Mass Flux and Coronal Density in the Fast Solar Wind

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

The solar wind mass flux, inferred from in situ measurements of the density and flow speed, is one of the conserved quantities that provides an inevitable constraint for solar wind models. In situ measurements have consistently shown that the mass flux in the fast solar wind does not vary by more than a factor of two. Typical values range from 1.5 x 10(8) cm(-3) to 3 10(8) cm(-3) for wind speeds at or above 700 km/s. While the density measured in situ can vary by approximately a factor of two, the flow speed does not vary by more than 10 to 20% in the fast streams. We show in this paper that the variations in the mass flux in the fast solar wind are directly related to changes in the density at the Sun. This finding provides further support for the view recently proposed by Woo and Habbal that the coronal density extends almost radially outwards from the Sun, that this extension is reflected in in situ measurements, and that the quiet Sun is also a source of the fast solar wind in addition to coronal holes. This work is supported in part by NASA grant NAG5-6215 to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Relationship between Mass Flux and Coronal Density in the Fast Solar Wind does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Relationship between Mass Flux and Coronal Density in the Fast Solar Wind, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Relationship between Mass Flux and Coronal Density in the Fast Solar Wind will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1120193

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.