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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

The Statistical Properties of Solar Wind Temperature Parameters Near 1 Au

We present a long-duration (approx. 10 yr) statistical analysis of the temperatures, plasma betas, and temperature ratios for the electron, proton, and alpha-particle populations observed by the Wind spacecraft near 1 au. The mean(median) scalar temperatures are T(sub e)(sub tot) = 12.2(11.9) eV, T(sub p)(sub tot) = 12.7(8.6) eV, and T(sub a)(sub tot) = 23.9(10.8) eV. The mean(median) total plasma betas are Beta(sub e)(sub tot) = 2.31(1.09), Beta(sub p)(sub tot) = 1.79(1.05), and Beta(sub a)(sub tot) = 0.17(0.05). The mean(median) temperature ratios are (T(sub e)/T(sub p))(sub tot) = 1.64(1.27), (T(sub e)/T(sub a))(sub tot) = 1.24(0.82), and (T(sub a)/T(sub p))(sub tot) = 2.50(1.94). We also examined these parameters during time intervals that exclude interplanetary (IP) shocks, times within the magnetic obstacles (MOs) of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), and times that exclude MOs. The only times that show significant alterations to any of the parameters examined are those during MOs. In fact, the only parameter that does not show a significant change during MOs is the electron temperature. Although each parameter shows a broad range of values, the vast majority are near the median. We also compute particle–particle collision rates and compare to effective wave–particle collision rates. We find that, for reasonable assumptions of wave amplitude and occurrence rates, the effect of wave–particle interactions on the plasma is equal to or greater than the effect of Coulomb collisions. Thus, wave–particle interactions should not be neglected when modeling the solar wind.

Wilson, Lynn B., III↗
NASA NTRS1994

Electron beam excitation of upstream waves in the whistler mode frequency range

We examine whistler mode instabilities arising from electron beams in interplanetary space at 1 AU. Both parallel and obliquely propagating solutions are considered. We demonstrate that the generation of two simultaneous whistler mode waves is possible, and even reasonably likely, for beam parameters frequently encountered upstream of the Earth's bow shock and at interplanetary shocks. We also explore the generation of left-hand polarized waves at whistler mode frequencies under these same conditions. We offer both parametric variations derived from numerical solutions of the various instabilities as well as an analytical treatment of the problem which succeeds in unifying the various numerical results.

Wong, Hung K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A two-spacecraft test of a single spacecraft method of estimating shock normals

By assuming the validity of a subset of the Rankine-Hugoniot conservation relations for interplanetary (IP) shocks in an isotropic medium it has been demonstrated, in principle, that improved shock normals can be calculated by using a least-squares technique on combined magnetic field and plasma data from a single spacecraft. The scheme uses those six conservation relations not involving pressure and temperature. This paper deals with a test of the scheme by examining in detail a shock across which the magnetic field changed direction by a small amount (approximately 10 deg). On January 26, 1968 at about 1430 UT this shock was observed by the plasma and magnetic field instruments in Explorers 33 and 35. The spacecraft were 76.6 and 56.9 R sub E sunward of the earth, respectively (and 43.5 R sub E from each other), and therefore well outside the earth's bow shock region, a necessary condition for a valid test.

Lepping, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the role of the magnetic field in the solar wind interaction with Venus - Expectations versus observations

Observations of the magnetic field near Venus suggest that elements of three different models (direct interaction, tangential discontinuity, magnetic barrier) are present. A bow shock is found to occur at an altitude of about 0.3 Venus radii at the subsolar point. The compression of the decelerated solar wind plasma behind the bow shock causes interplanetary field lines to 'pile up'. The magnetic field inside the bow shock increases from approximately twice the IMF strength at the bow shock to values in the range of approximately 40-100 gammas at altitudes between about 200 and 1,200 km. The maximum value of the piled up field, which is correlated with the dynamic pressure of the solar wind outside the bow shock, is found at lower altitudes for larger field strengths. Just Venus-ward of the maximum field, the pressure of the cold plasma increases to a level balancing the pressure of the external magnetic field. Hence, to a first approximation, the ionosphere has a diamagnetic response excluding the magnetosheath field. However, strong magnetic fields are found at times throughout the ionosphere.

Luhmann, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

On reflecting boundary behind the Earth's orbit at propagation of fast particles from solar flares

The flares of solar cosmic rays (SCR) associated with the presence of shocks in interplanetary magnetic field and with their propagation at significant heliocentric distances were always of great interest. Some events and problems concerning the peculiarities of propagation of flare CR in the interplanetary medium are considered. The distinguishing feature of such events is the presence of shock front behind the Earth's orbit having formed either directly in the process of shock generation on the Sun or at large heliocentric distances as a result of the interaction of fast and slow quasistationary recurrent solar wind (SW) streams. Based on the experimental material it is shown that the significant nonlinear disturbances in IMF behind the Earth's orbit can yield the occurrence of the additional SCR flux from shock front region as a result of the interaction of flare flux with shock and a partial reflection from it.

Nishkovskikh, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The solar/interplanetary event of 14 April 1994 observed by Yohkoh/SXT

The polar crown event of April 14 1994 is one of the largest scale eruptive events observed by the Yohkoh/SXT. Associated with the formation of an arcade of soft X-ray loops at the Sun was the detection of an interplanetary forward/reverse shock event by the Ulysses spacecraft some 4-7 days later. The relationship between the coronal and interplanetary signatures of these events is important if we are to address fully the initialization and consequent acceleration of interplanetary phenomena, such as CMEs and counter-streaming electrons, originating at the Sun. From detailed analysis of the energetics of the arcade formed during the eruption of April 14 1994, we find peak temperatures and emission measures of approximately 5MK and approximately 10(exp 48)cm(exp -3) respectively. The total thermal content of the arcade loop structure observed in soft X-rays is calculated to be some 5 x 10(exp 29) ergs. The development of these parameters as the event proceeds and their relationship to the dynamics of the eruption are investigated. Although spanning a longitudinal range of some 150 degrees the April 14 event displayed the typical helmet streamer structure normally associated with coronal mass ejections These helmet streamers are thought to be related to the global solar magnetic field through the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). The arcade formation, together with the eruption of material into interplanetary space, signifies a large-scale reconfiguration of the coronal magnetic field. We examine the effects of the formation of such a coronal arcade structure on the HCS and discuss the dynamics involved with the passage of a large scale disturbance through the interplanetary magnetic field.

Alexander, D.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Influence of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field Cone Angle on the Geometry of Bow Shocks

The frozen-in interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the solar wind is one of the most important parameters affecting the Earth’s space weather. In the early studies of the IMF’s influence on space weather, significant effects of the north–south component of the IMF B {sub Z} were emphasized, while the radial component of the IMF B {sub X} was largely ignored. However, the IMF near the Earth is not always dominated by the north–south component of the IMF B {sub Z}, and the radial component of the IMF B {sub X} also plays an important role. However, while the effects of the IMF B {sub X} (cone angle) on the magnetopause have been studied in recent years, there has been much less effort to quantify the B {sub X} (cone angle) effects on the bow shock. In this paper, using the bow shock crossing data from multiple satellites, we investigate the IMF cone angle effect on the dayside and nightside of the bow shock. Our results show that under the radial IMF condition, the dayside of the bow shock is located closer to the Earth than the average. At the same time, on the nightside, the bow shock is farther away from the Earth than the average. The mechanism explaining the bow shock location under the radial IMF is not completely understood. We believe that the magnetosonic Mach number and unusual conditions of the magnetosheath, especially for low dynamic pressure, play an important role. In the future, more work is needed to describe the reactions of the Earth’s magnetosphere to different IMF orientations, especially to the radial IMF.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2017

On the Cause of Two Prompt Shock-Induced Relativistic Electron Depletion Events

Dayside interplanetary (IP) shock-induced injections are known to be a source of highly relativistic electrons in Earth's outer radiation belt, and are possibly the only source of greater than 1 megaelectronvolt electrons in the inner belt. The associated electron energization process is well understood and modeled. Recently, relativistic electron depletion echoes have also been associated with IP shocks, but the processes driving the depletions are less well understood. In this study, we investigate in detail two shock induced greater than 1 megaelectronvolt electron depletion events observed by the Van Allen Probes, March 17, 2015 and May 24, 2013, and draw similarities to night-side substorm related enhancements and depletions. Both events exhibit shock induced enhancements on one of the Van Allen Probes and depletions on the other in greater than 1 megaelectronvolt channels, such observations have not previously been reported. The depletion of greater than 1 megaelectronvolt electrons during the March 17, 2015 event is associated with enhancements in 10 second - 100 second kiloelectronvolt electrons on the same spacecraft. The depletion is consistent with the effects of a lack of seed electrons at larger radial distances combined with inward motion due to asymmetric compression by the shock impact. The immediate enhancements and depletions of 75 kiloelectronvolt - 2.6 greater than 1 megaelectronvolt electrons are explained by the local phase space density radial profile. Observations of electron flux dynamics during the May 24, 2013 event can also be explained by a lack of a seed population at larger radial distances, supported by butterfly distributions observed during the event. The electron's inward radial motion can be attributed to the inward propagating impulse also associated with the greater than 1 megaelectronvolt electron enhancements observed on the complementary probe, rather than global asymmetric compression. This causal mechanism has parallels to substorm related depletions. Alternatively, evidence is provided to attribute the sudden depletions to losses due to a sudden but brief inward motion of the magnetopause.

Schiller, Quintin↗
NASA NTRS1999

Substorm Pseudobreakups Associated with Interplanetary Shocks/Pressure Pulses: Wind and Polar

Ten interplanetary WIND shock/ pressure pulse events are used to study the magnetospheric delay of pseudobreakup (PB) or substorm onsets. We identify the PBs and substorms by using the POLAR UV imaging data. The states of the interplanetary medium and the conditions of the ionosphere before and after the auroral brightening onsets are studied. We find that the magnetospheric delay time strongly constrains the location of the nightside X-line during such events. We also find for PB (or no activity) events, that the interplanetary and ionosphere preconditions are unusually low.

Zhou, X.-Y.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Magnetospheric response to solar wind dynamic pressure variations: Interaction of interplanetary tangential discontinuities with the bow shock

Some magnetic impulse events observed in the polar region are related to vortices associated with plasma convection in the ionosphere. Recent analyses of satellite and ground data suggest that the interaction of solar wind dynamic pressure pulses and the magnetosphere may lead to the formation of velocity vortices in the magnetopause boundary layer region. This can in turn lead to the presence of vortices in the polar ionosphere. However, before reaching the Earth's magnetopause, these interplanetary pressure pulses must interact with and pass through the bow shock. A variation of the solar wind dynamic pressure may be associated with shocks, magnetic holes, or tangential discontinuities (TDs) in the interplanetary medium. We study the interaction of interplanetary TDs with the Earth's bow shock (BS) using both theoretical analysis and MHD computer simulations. It is found that as a result of the collision between a TD and the BS, the jump in the solar wind dynamic pressure associated with the TD is significantly modified, the bow shock moves, and a new fast shock or fast rarefaction wave, which propagates in the downstream direction, is excited. Our theoretical analysis shows that the change in the plasma density across the interplanetary TD plays the most important role in the collision process. In the case with an enhanced dynamic pressure behind the interplanetary TD, the bow shock is intensified in strength and moves in the earthward direction. The dynamic pressure jump associated with the transmitted TD is generally reduced from the value before the interaction. A fast compressional shock is excited ahead of the transmitted TD and propagates toward the Earth's magnetosphere. For the case in which the dynamic pressure is reduced behind the interplanetary TD, the pressure jump across the transmitted TD is substantially weakened, the bow shock moves in the sunward direction, and a rarefaction wave which propagates downstream is excited. We also simulate and discuss the interaction of a pair of tangential discontinuities, which may correspond to a magnetic hole, with the BS.

Wu, Bor-Han↗
NASA NTRS1985

Anomalous short-term increases in the galactic cosmic ray intensity: Are they related to the interplanetary magnetic cloud-like structures?

Thirty-one short-term increases (time duration 24 hours and amplitude up to 5%) in the galactic cosmic ray intensity, occurring inside Forbush decreases events, have been identified over the period 1966 - 1977. These increases are highly anisotropic and occur after the compression region following the shock; the interplanetary medium is characterized by intense ( 10 nT) and higly fluctuating magnetic field B, high velocity, low density and temperature (flare ejecta piston?). These B-fluctuations seem to be ordered variations which could be representative of magnetic clouds. Also the large cosmic ray increase occurring on 17-18 September 1979, belongs to this category of events.

Iucci, N.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Wave-particle interaction phenomena associated with shocks in the solar wind

Microscopic wave-particle interaction phenomena must generally affect the evolution of a traveling interplanetary discontinuity such as a collisionless shock, and solar wind plasma instabilities should also be associated with interplanetary acceleration, diffusion, and dissipation. Recent local measurements from diagnostics on widely separated spacecraft illustrate some examples of these interaction phenomena, and two bounding cases are considered in detail here. It is shown that the interplanetary shock of September 14, 1974 (detected on IMP-7, 8, Hawkeye-1, and Pioneer 11) was associated with intense local electrostatic noise and ion acceleration, while the shock of January 6, 1975 (detected on IMP-7 and Helios-1) had no detectable electrostatic turbulence.

Scarf, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The solar origins of two high-latitude interplanetary disturbances

Two extremely similar interplanetary forward/reverse shock events, with bidirectional electron streaming were detected by Ulysses in 1994. Ground-based and Yohkoh/SXT observations show two strikingly different solar events that could be associated with them: an LDE flare on 20 Feb. 1994, and a extremely large-scale eruptive event on 14 April 1994. Both events resulted in geomagnetic storms and presumably were associated with coronal mass ejections. The sharply contrasting nature of these solar events argues against an energetic causal relationship between them and the bidirectional streaming events observed by Ulysses during its S polar passage. We suggest instead that for each pair of events. a common solar trigger may have caused independent instabilities leading to the solar and interplanetary phenomena.

Hudson, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Analyses of ∼0.05–2 MeV Ions Associated with the 2022 February 16 Energetic Storm Particle Event Observed By Parker Solar Probe

We present analyses of 0.05–2 MeV ions from the 2022 February 16 energetic storm particle event observed by Parker Solar Probeʼs (PSP) ISeIS/EPI-Lo instrument at 0.35 au from the Sun. This event was characterized by an enhancement in ion fluxes from a quiet background, increasing gradually with time with a nearly flat spectrum, rising sharply near the arrival of the coronal mass ejection (CME)–driven shock, becoming nearly a power-law spectrum, then decaying exponentially afterward, with a rate that was independent of energy. From the observed fluxes, we determine diffusion coefficients, finding that far upstream of the shock the diffusion coefficients are nearly independent of energy, with a value of 10 20 cm 2 s −1 . Near the shock, the diffusion coefficients are more than 1 order of magnitude smaller and increase nearly linearly with energy. We also determine the source of energetic particles, by comparing ratios of the intensities at the shock to estimates of the quiet-time intensity to predictions from diffusive shock acceleration theory. We conclude that the source of energetic ions is mostly the solar wind for this event. We also present potential interpretations of the near-exponential decay of the intensity behind the shock. One possibility we suggest is that the shock was over expanding when it crossed PSP and the energetic particle intensity decreased behind the shock to fill the expanding volume. Over expanding CMEs could well be more common closer to the Sun, and this is an example of such a case.

Interplanetary particle acceleration↗
NASA NTRS2018

Forecasting the Arrival Time of Coronal Mass Ejections: Analysis of the CCMC CME Scoreboard

Accurate forecasting of the properties of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) as they approach Earth is now recognized as an important strategic objective for both NOAA and NASA. The time of arrival of such events is a key parameter, one that had been anticipated to be relatively straightforward to constrain. In this study, we analyze forecasts submitted to the Community Coordinated Modeling Center at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center over the last 6 years to answer the following questions: (1) How well do these models forecast the arrival time of CME-driven shocks? (2) What are the uncertainties associated with these forecasts? (3) Which model(s) perform best? (4) Have the models become more accurate during the past 6 years? We analyze all forecasts made by 32 models from 2013 through mid-2018, and additionally focus on 28 events, all of which were forecasted by six models. We find that the models are generally able to predict CME-shock arrival times, in an average sense, to within ±10 hr, but with standard deviations often exceeding 20 hr. The best performers, on the other hand, maintained a mean error (bias) of 1 hr, a mean absolute error of 13 hr, and a precision (standard deviation) of 15 hr. Finally, there is no evidence that the forecasts have become more accurate during this interval. We discuss the intrinsic simplifications of thevarious models analyzed, the limitations of this investigation, and suggest possible paths to improve these forecasts in the future.

space weather↗
NASA NTRS1972

Detection of solar wind at synchronous orbit.

During the March 8, 1970 geomagnetic storm, the synchronous spacecraft ATS-5 spent more than 6 hours outside the magnetosphere. At the height of the storm, ATS was fortuitously located near local noon when both the on-board magnetometer and the UCSD plasma detector indicated that the environment had changed from typical magnetosheath (i.e. shocked) to interplanetary character (unshocked). This situation lasted for approximately 3 minutes at 2000 UT before the spacecraft was again immersed in the magnetosheath. Ground-based magnetograms show high activity, but no unusual features at this time. In the magnetosheath the component of magnetic field parallel to the earth axis was about -60 gamma with about plus or minus 30 gamma variations. Outside the magnetosheath, this dropped to an indicated 15 gamma with no large variations.

Deforest, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Parametric instabilities of the circularly polarized Alfven waves including dispersion

A class of parametric instabilities of large-amplitude, circularly polarized Alfven waves is considered in which finite frequency (dispersive) effects are included. The dispersion equation governing the instabilities is a sixth-order polynomial which is solved numerically. As a function of K identically equal to k/k-sub-0 (where k-sub-0 and k are the wave number of the 'pump' wave and unstable sound wave, respectively), there are three regionals of instability: a modulation instability at K less than 1, a decay instability at K greater than 1, and a relatively weak and narrow instability at K close to squared divided by v-sub-A squared (where c-sub-s and v-sub-A are the sound and Alfven speeds respectively), the modulational instability occurs when beta is less than 1 (more than 1) for left-hand (right-hand) pump waves, in agreement with the previous results of Sakai and Sonnerup (1983). The growth rate of the decay instability of left-hand waves is greater than the modulational instability at all values of beta. Applications to large-amplitude wave observed in the solar wind, in computer simulations, and in the vicinity of planetary and interplanetary collisionless shocks are discussed.

Wong, H. K.↗