Ion beaming in the solar wind: Wind Observations and Solar Probe Plus Challenges

Details Ion beaming in the solar wind: Wind Observations and Solar Probe Plus Challenges Ion beaming in the solar wind: Wind Observations and Solar Probe Plus Challenges

Dec 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufmsh53b2042s&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #SH53B-2042

Physics

Plasma Physics

[7827] Space Plasma Physics / Kinetic And Mhd Theory, [7846] Space Plasma Physics / Plasma Energization, [7867] Space Plasma Physics / Wave/Particle Interactions, [7894] Space Plasma Physics / Instruments And Techniques

Scientific paper

Observations of the micro-state of ions in the solar wind have revealed that double-streaming protons carry a significant portion of the kinetic energy in the inner heliosphere, and in fast/collisionally young wind. We present the results of a comprehensive investigation into field-aligned proton beams in the solar wind at 1 AU, as observed by the Solar Wind Explorer (SWE) on the Wind spacecraft. A re-analysis of the Wind SWE data set has recently been conducted in order to characterize features in the SWE velocity distribution function that are attributable to minor ions or to secondary proton and alpha components, including Alfvénic beams. The kinetic substructure of the SWE ion velocity distribution function (VDF) contains the fingerprints of heating processes in the solar wind and in the corona, however counter-streaming proton detections also provide evidence of ongoing plasma interpenetration at magnetic reconnection exhaust sites, providing insight into the mechanism in those structures. It is shown that about 40% of simple, so-called "quasi-steady" reconnection structure that can be readily identified in the solar wind at 1 AU is associated with proton beams. This suggests that magnetic reconnection in situ may be a significant source mechanism for ion beaming. Statistics of the Wind ion beam data set are presented in the context of candidate beam origination and dissipation mechanisms. The SPC/SPAN experiment on Solar Probe Plus will measure the solar wind micro-state in a new region of the heliosphere, improving in detail and in scope upon the previous observations from the Helios missions. By considering the collisional age of plasma streams with beam structure that are not readily attributable to an in situ mechanism, our study is also used to predict the ion VDF in the inner heliosphere as it will be measured by the SPC/SPAN experiment on Solar Probe Plus.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Ion beaming in the solar wind: Wind Observations and Solar Probe Plus Challenges 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 Ion beaming in the solar wind: Wind Observations and Solar Probe Plus Challenges, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ion beaming in the solar wind: Wind Observations and Solar Probe Plus Challenges will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1889034