Low-frequency waves in the solar wind near Neptune

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL01050· OSTI ID:5316401

Zhang, Ming; Belcher, J W; Richardson, J D ^[1]; Vasyliunas, V M ^[2]; Lepping, R P ^[3]; Ness, N F; Smith, C W ^[4]

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1. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA)
2. Max-Planck-Inst. for Aeronomie, Garching (West Germany)
3. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (USA)
4. Univ. of Delaware, Newark (USA)

Plasma and magnetic field observations from the Voyager 2 spacecraft when it was outbound from Neptune reveal low-frequency waves in the solar wind which are clearly associated with the planet. The waves have frequencies below the proton cyclotron frequency f{sub cp}, which is about 10{sup {minus}3} Hz during the periods waves are observed. The waves are present when the interplanetary magnetic field is oriented such that the spacecraft is connected to the bow shock by the magnetic field lines. The authors have identified the waves to be Alfvenic waves propagating at {approximately}140 {degree} to the ambient magnetic field and away from the bow shock. As at the other planets, these downstream waves are thought to be generated in the upstream region, where energetic protons created near the nose of the bow shock excite waves as they stream along solar wind magnetic field lines.

• OSTI ID: 5316401
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 18:6; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
ATMOSPHERES
BARYONS
DATA ANALYSIS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
INTERACTIONS
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NEPTUNE PLANET
NUCLEONS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA WAVES
PROTONS
SHOCK WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES