Voyager Observations of the Magnetic Field in the Distant Heliosphere

Details Voyager Observations of the Magnetic Field in the Distant Heliosphere Voyager Observations of the Magnetic Field in the Distant Heliosphere

Jan 1998

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998ssrv...83..105b&link_type=abstract

Space Science Reviews, v. 83, Issue 1/2, p. 105-121 (1998).

Computer Science

11

Scientific paper

The latitudinal structure of the heliospheric magnetic field during much of the solar cycle is determined by a "sector zone", in which both positive and negative magnetic polarities are observed, and by the unipolar regions above and below the sector zone. Distinct corotating streams and interactions regions are found primarily in the sector zone during the declining phase of the solar cycle. Within a few AU, the streams and interaction regions are distinct and are related to solar features. A restructuring of the solar wind occurs between 1 AU and ~ 15 AU, in which the isolated streams, interaction regions and shocks merge to form compound streams and merged interaction regions ("MIRs"). Memory of the source conditions is lost in this process. In the region between ~30 AU and the termination shock (the "distant heliosphere"), the pressure of interstellar pickup protons dominates that of the magnetic field and solar wind particles and largely controls the dynamical processes. During 1983 and 1994, corotating streams and corotating interaction regions were observed at 1 AU. Merged interaction regions were observed at ~15 AU in 1983, but not at ~45 AU during 1994. This result suggests a further restructuring of the solar wind in the distant heliosphere, but variations from one solar cycle to the next might also contribute to the result. Approaching solar minimum in 1996, the latitudinal extent of the sector zone decreased, and Voyager 2 gradually entered the unipolar region below it. The speed was lower in the sector zone than below it. At Voyagers 1 and 2, the change in cosmic ray intensity is related to the magnetic field strength during each year from 1983 through 1996. The magnetic field strength has a multifractal distribution throughout the heliosphere. This fundamental symmetry of the heliosphere has not been incorporated explicitly in cosmic ray propagation models.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Voyager Observations of the Magnetic Field in the Distant Heliosphere 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 Voyager Observations of the Magnetic Field in the Distant Heliosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Voyager Observations of the Magnetic Field in the Distant Heliosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1615361