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Agapitov, O. V.; Drake, J. F.; Swisdak, M.; Bale, S. D.; Horbury, T. S.; Kasper, J. C.; MacDowall, R. J.; Mozer, F. S.; Phan, T. D.; Pulupa, M.; et al(
, The Astrophysical Journal)
Abstract A major discovery of Parker Solar Probe (PSP) was the presence of large numbers of localized increases in the radial solar wind speed and associated sharp deflections of the magnetic field—switchbacks (SBs). A possible generation mechanism of SBs is through magnetic reconnection between open and closed magnetic flux near the solar surface, termed interchange reconnection, that leads to the ejection of flux ropes (FRs) into the solar wind. Observations also suggest that SBs undergo merging, consistent with an FR picture of these structures. The role of FR merging in controlling the structure of SBs in the solar wind ismore »explored through direct observations, analytic analysis, and numerical simulations. Analytic analysis reveals key features of the structure of FRs and their scaling with heliocentric distance R, which are consistent with observations and demonstrate the critical role of merging in controlling the structure of SBs. FR merging is shown to energetically favor reductions in the strength of the wrapping magnetic field and the elongation of SBs. A further consequence is the resulting dominance of the axial magnetic field within SBs that leads to the observed characteristic sharp rotation of the magnetic field into the axial direction at the SB boundary. Finally, the radial scaling of the SB area in the FR model suggests that the observational probability of SB identification should be insensitive to R , which is consistent with the most recent statistical analysis of SB observations from PSP.« less
Free, publicly-accessible full text available February 1, 2023
Bale, S. D.; Horbury, T. S.; Velli, M.; Desai, M. I.; Halekas, J. S.; McManus, M. D.; Panasenco, O.; Badman, S. T.; Bowen, T. A.; Chandran, B. D.; et al(
, The Astrophysical Journal)
Abstract One of the striking observations from the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) spacecraft is the prevalence in the inner heliosphere of large amplitude, Alfvénic magnetic field reversals termed switchbacks . These δ B R / B ∼ ( 1 ) fluctuations occur over a range of timescales and in patches separated by intervals of quiet, radial magnetic field. We use measurements from PSP to demonstrate that patches of switchbacks are localized within the extensions of plasma structures originating at the base of the corona. These structures are characterized by an increase in alpha particle abundance, Mach number, plasma βmore »and pressure, and by depletions in the magnetic field magnitude and electron temperature. These intervals are in pressure balance, implying stationary spatial structure, and the field depressions are consistent with overexpanded flux tubes. The structures are asymmetric in Carrington longitude with a steeper leading edge and a small (∼1°) edge of hotter plasma and enhanced magnetic field fluctuations. Some structures contain suprathermal ions to ∼85 keV that we argue are the energetic tail of the solar wind alpha population. The structures are separated in longitude by angular scales associated with supergranulation. This suggests that these switchbacks originate near the leading edge of the diverging magnetic field funnels associated with the network magnetic field—the primary wind sources. We propose an origin of the magnetic field switchbacks, hot plasma and suprathermals, alpha particles in interchange reconnection events just above the solar transition region and our measurements represent the extended regions of a turbulent outflow exhaust.« less
Free, publicly-accessible full text available December 1, 2022
Zhao, L.-L.; Zank, G. P.; Hu, Q.; Telloni, D.; Chen, Y.; Adhikari, L.; Nakanotani, M.; Kasper, J. C.; Huang, J.; Bale, S. D.; et al(
, Astronomy & Astrophysics)
Context. Aims. We systematically search for magnetic flux rope structures in the solar wind to within the closest distance to the Sun of ~0.13 AU, using data from the third and fourth orbits of the Parker Solar Probe. Methods. We extended our previous magnetic helicity-based technique of identifying magnetic flux rope structures. The method was improved upon to incorporate the azimuthal flow, which becomes larger as the spacecraft approaches the Sun. Results. A total of 21 and 34 magnetic flux ropes are identified during the third (21-day period) and fourth (17-day period) orbits of the Parker Solar Probe, respectively. Wemore »provide a statistical analysis of the identified structures, including their relation to the streamer belt and heliospheric current sheet crossing.« less
Phan, T. D.; Bale, S. D.; Eastwood, J. P.; Lavraud, B.; Drake, J. F.; Oieroset, M.; Shay, M. A.; Pulupa, M.; Stevens, M.; MacDowall, R. J.; et al(
, The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series)
Kasper, J. C.; Bale, S. D.; Belcher, J. W.; Berthomier, M.; Case, A. W.; Chandran, B. D.; Curtis, D. W.; Gallagher, D.; Gary, S. P.; Golub, L.; et al(
, Nature)
Bale, S. D.; Badman, S. T.; Bonnell, J. W.; Bowen, T. A.; Burgess, D.; Case, A. W.; Cattell, C. A.; Chandran, B. D.; Chaston, C. C.; Chen, C. H.; et al(
, Nature)
