Control of Suprathermal Electron Flux by Solar Wind Dynamics

Details Control of Suprathermal Electron Flux by Solar Wind Dynamics Control of Suprathermal Electron Flux by Solar Wind Dynamics

May 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agusmsh23a..01c&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2009, abstract #SH23A-01

Physics

2102 Corotating Streams, 2114 Energetic Particles (7514), 2134 Interplanetary Magnetic Fields, 2164 Solar Wind Plasma

Scientific paper

The high variability of the intensity of suprathermal electron flux in the solar wind is usually ascribed to the high variability of sources on the Sun. Here we demonstrate that a substantial amount of the variability arises instead from solar wind dynamics in stream interaction regions, where fast wind runs into slow wind and creates a pressure ridge at the interface. Superposed epoch analysis centered on stream interfaces in 26 interaction regions previously identified in Wind data reveal a twofold increase in 250-eV flux (integrated over pitch angle). This result is understood in terms of the magnetic field compression there. If suprathermal electrons spiraling along field lines are viewed as beads along strings, then increasing the density of the strings through compression will also increase the density of the beads. An intriguing aspect of the result is that while the field strength peaks at the stream interface, as expected, the peak in electron flux lags by ˜1.5 hours. Although this lag may not be statistically significant, its sense is consistent with the systematic transport of open magnetic flux via interchange reconnection at coronal hole boundaries predicted by the global footpoint circulation model of L. A. Fisk and colleagues.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Control of Suprathermal Electron Flux by Solar Wind Dynamics 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 Control of Suprathermal Electron Flux by Solar Wind Dynamics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Control of Suprathermal Electron Flux by Solar Wind Dynamics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1108699