PUZZLES OF THE INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD IN THE INNER HELIOSPHERE
- Heliophysical Laboratory, Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radiowave Propagation RAS (IZMIRAN), Troitsk, Moscow Region 142190 (Russian Federation)
Deviations of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) from Parker's model are frequently observed in the heliosphere at different distances r from the Sun. Usually, it is supposed that the IMF behavior corresponds to Parker's model overall, but there is some turbulent component that impacts and disrupts the full picture of the IMF spatial and temporal distribution. However, the analysis of multi-spacecraft in-ecliptic IMF measurements from 0.29 AU to 5 AU shows that the IMF radial evolution is rather far from expected. The radial IMF component decreases with the adiabatic power index (|B{sub r} | {proportional_to} r {sup -5/3}), the tangential component |B{sub r}| {proportional_to} r {sup -1}, and the IMF strength B {proportional_to} r {sup -1.4}. This means that the IMF is not completely frozen in the solar wind. It is possible that turbulent processes in the inner heliosphere significantly influence the IMF expansion. This is confirmed by the analysis of the B{sub r} distribution's radial evolution. B{sub r} has a well-known bimodal histogram only at 0.7-2.0 AU. The bimodality effect gradually disappears from 1 AU to 4 AU, and B{sub r} becomes quasi-normally distributed at 3-4 AU (which is a sign of rapid vanishing of the stable sector structure with heliocentric distance). We consider a quasi-continuous magnetic reconnection, occurring both at the heliospheric current sheet and at local current sheets inside the IMF sectors, to be a key process responsible for the solar wind turbulization with heliocentric distance as well as for the breakdown of the ''frozen-in IMF'' law.
- OSTI ID:
- 22140032
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 761, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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