Parameters of solar wind electron heat-flux pitch-angle distributions and IMF topologies

Details Parameters of solar wind electron heat-flux pitch-angle distributions and IMF topologies Parameters of solar wind electron heat-flux pitch-angle distributions and IMF topologies

Nov 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004georl..3122805f&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 31, Issue 22, CiteID L22805

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

3

Interplanetary Physics: Interplanetary Magnetic Fields, Interplanetary Physics: Solar Wind Plasma, Interplanetary Physics: Sources Of The Solar Wind, Solar Physics, Astrophysics, And Astronomy: Coronal Mass Ejections, And Astronomy: Magnetic Fields

Scientific paper

Pitch-angle distributions (PADs) of solar wind heat-flux (HF) electrons are used as a proxy for interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) topology. Unidirectional PADs yield IMF solar polarities, and bidirectional electron (BDE) PADs are interpreted as signatures of closed fields. A general perception exists that the directionalities are easily distinguished, clearly defining open and closed IMFs. We quantify PADs with the ratios of the HF parallel and anti-parallel to the IMF to that perpendicular to the IMF plotting these parameters against each other in a directionality distribution for six years of electron data from the 3DP experiment on the Wind satellite. This bimodal plot clearly shows the unidirectional populations, but shows no evidence for a separate bidirectional HF population. A similar plot of magnetic clouds is double-banded with no evidence of a bifurcation between bidirectional and unidirectional regimes. In conclusion, this basic parameterization shows no distinction between open and closed field topologies.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Parameters of solar wind electron heat-flux pitch-angle distributions and IMF topologies 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 Parameters of solar wind electron heat-flux pitch-angle distributions and IMF topologies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Parameters of solar wind electron heat-flux pitch-angle distributions and IMF topologies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1763299