Woodham, LD;
Horbury, TS;
Matteini, L;
Woolley, T;
Laker, R;
Bale, SD;
Nicolaou, G;
... Pulupa, MP; + view all
(2021)
Enhanced proton parallel temperature inside patches of switchbacks in the inner heliosphere.
Astronomy & Astrophysics
, 650
, Article L1. 10.1051/0004-6361/202039415.
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Abstract
Context. Switchbacks are discrete angular deflections in the solar wind magnetic field that have been observed throughout the heliosphere. Recent observations by Parker Solar Probe (PSP) have revealed the presence of patches of switchbacks on the scale of hours to days, separated by ‘quieter’ radial fields. / Aims. We aim to further diagnose the origin of these patches using measurements of proton temperature anisotropy that can illuminate possible links to formation processes in the solar corona. / Methods. We fitted 3D bi-Maxwellian functions to the core of proton velocity distributions measured by the SPAN-Ai instrument onboard PSP to obtain the proton parallel, Tp,∥, and perpendicular, Tp,⊥, temperature. / Results. We show that the presence of patches is highlighted by a transverse deflection in the flow and magnetic field away from the radial direction. These deflections are correlated with enhancements in Tp,∥, while Tp,⊥ remains relatively constant. Patches sometimes exhibit small proton and electron density enhancements. / Conclusions. We interpret that patches are not simply a group of switchbacks, but rather switchbacks are embedded within a larger-scale structure identified by enhanced Tp,∥ that is distinct from the surrounding solar wind. We suggest that these observations are consistent with formation by reconnection-associated mechanisms in the corona.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Enhanced proton parallel temperature inside patches of switchbacks in the inner heliosphere |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1051/0004-6361/202039415 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202039415 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Sun: heliosphere / solar wind / magnetic fields / plasmas / magnetic reconnection |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10129404 |
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